Charlie McCreevy, TD, Minister for Finance, today announced (26/10/2000) the Government have given approval for the drafting of legislation which would introduce mandatory audits of the allowances paid to Leaders of Parliamentary Parties. Parliamentary Counsel will begin drafting the text of the Bill immediately.

These allowances are currently paid to the Leaders in Dail Eireann of the Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour, Progressive Democrat, Green, Sinn Fein and Independent Socialist parties.

The intention is that the allowances will be audited by independent auditors who would have to furnish a report of their findings to the Public Offices Commission which, in turn, would report to the Houses of the Oireachtas any failure to make the return or any expenditure from those allowances which was contrary to legal requirements or otherwise inappropriate.

In formulating this legislative initiative, the Minister has drawn on discussions which he has held with Party Leaders or their representatives.