26/11/2009
Third Of MLAs Employ Family
Forty-one of Northern Ireland's 108 MLAs employ family members using their Assembly allowance, it has been officially revealed.
The details of members' interests, including additional earnings, have now been published on the Assembly's website.
Despite most of the information being in the public domain, MLAs said they hoped the availability of the data would make Stormont more transparent.
Declan O'Loan, who chairs the Assembly's Standards and Privileges Committee, said the formation of the Register of Members' Interests would highlight any potential conflict of interests for local politicians.
"Openness at the Assembly is essential to ensure public confidence. I therefore welcome the publication of the new Register of Members' Interests which further increases transparency at the Assembly," he said.
Extra earnings, such as company directorships, property ownership, and gifts received are all encompassed in the lists.
It was revealed Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams is paid £9,600 a year for his weekly contribution to a west Belfast newspaper.
He also jointly owns a second residential property in Donegal with his wife.
DUP First Minister Peter Robinson listed his additional homes and properties as an apartment in London, a house in Florida and his east Belfast constituency office.
He declared his earnings as including £64,766 as an MP and £71,434 as First Minister.
More than a dozen DUP MLAs employ family members, with eight Ulster Unionist Assembly members providing work to relatives.
In addition to their Stormont work, the UUP leader Sir Reg Empey, and Alliance leader David Ford said they each annually received £9,738 working as councillors.
Incumbent SDLP leader, and Foyle MP, Mark Durkan declared employing his wife as a secretary.
Around half of all SDLP representatives at Stormont pay family members with public funds for political and administration work.
Northern Ireland's sole Green Party MLA, Brian Wilson, employs his son to do office work.
Alliance's Stephen Farry has hired his wife as a researcher, while party colleague Anna Lo paid her brother to translate constituency mail-drops into Chinese.
(PR/GK)
The details of members' interests, including additional earnings, have now been published on the Assembly's website.
Despite most of the information being in the public domain, MLAs said they hoped the availability of the data would make Stormont more transparent.
Declan O'Loan, who chairs the Assembly's Standards and Privileges Committee, said the formation of the Register of Members' Interests would highlight any potential conflict of interests for local politicians.
"Openness at the Assembly is essential to ensure public confidence. I therefore welcome the publication of the new Register of Members' Interests which further increases transparency at the Assembly," he said.
Extra earnings, such as company directorships, property ownership, and gifts received are all encompassed in the lists.
It was revealed Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams is paid £9,600 a year for his weekly contribution to a west Belfast newspaper.
He also jointly owns a second residential property in Donegal with his wife.
DUP First Minister Peter Robinson listed his additional homes and properties as an apartment in London, a house in Florida and his east Belfast constituency office.
He declared his earnings as including £64,766 as an MP and £71,434 as First Minister.
More than a dozen DUP MLAs employ family members, with eight Ulster Unionist Assembly members providing work to relatives.
In addition to their Stormont work, the UUP leader Sir Reg Empey, and Alliance leader David Ford said they each annually received £9,738 working as councillors.
Incumbent SDLP leader, and Foyle MP, Mark Durkan declared employing his wife as a secretary.
Around half of all SDLP representatives at Stormont pay family members with public funds for political and administration work.
Northern Ireland's sole Green Party MLA, Brian Wilson, employs his son to do office work.
Alliance's Stephen Farry has hired his wife as a researcher, while party colleague Anna Lo paid her brother to translate constituency mail-drops into Chinese.
(PR/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 February 2024
Daniel Sebastian Allen Jailed For 29 Years For Murder Of Family Of Four
Daniel Sebastian Allen has been sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of three people in a deliberate house fire in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, in 2018. The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to starting a fire at a house, which lead to the death of four people, including a baby girl.
Daniel Sebastian Allen Jailed For 29 Years For Murder Of Family Of Four
Daniel Sebastian Allen has been sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of three people in a deliberate house fire in Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, in 2018. The 33-year-old pleaded guilty to starting a fire at a house, which lead to the death of four people, including a baby girl.
05 May 2021
L'Derry Sinn Fein MLAs Will Not Stand For Party At Next Assembly Election
Sinn Fein MLAs Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan will not stand for the party at the next assembly election. The decision was made after a party review revealed election disappointments in L'Derry.
L'Derry Sinn Fein MLAs Will Not Stand For Party At Next Assembly Election
Sinn Fein MLAs Martina Anderson and Karen Mullan will not stand for the party at the next assembly election. The decision was made after a party review revealed election disappointments in L'Derry.
10 April 2024
Work To Begin On New North Belfast Housing Development
The Department for Communities that preparatory works has now begun for the physical redevelopment of the Adam Street site on Duncairn Gardens in North Belfast. As a result of extensive public consultation, social housing will be provided through a residential-led regeneration scheme.
Work To Begin On New North Belfast Housing Development
The Department for Communities that preparatory works has now begun for the physical redevelopment of the Adam Street site on Duncairn Gardens in North Belfast. As a result of extensive public consultation, social housing will be provided through a residential-led regeneration scheme.
13 February 2024
Alliance Calls For Work To Resume On Women's Health Strategy
The Alliance Party has called for urgent work to resume on the development of a new women's health strategy to address health inequalities.
Alliance Calls For Work To Resume On Women's Health Strategy
The Alliance Party has called for urgent work to resume on the development of a new women's health strategy to address health inequalities.
28 March 2024
River Lagan Flood Protection Works Underway
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced that flood protection refurbishment work on the River Lagan has got underway. The work costing £900k is being carried out by local building contractor Maurice Flynn and Sons who are replacing the gates at the Hilden and Lambeg river control structures on the River Lagan.
River Lagan Flood Protection Works Underway
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has announced that flood protection refurbishment work on the River Lagan has got underway. The work costing £900k is being carried out by local building contractor Maurice Flynn and Sons who are replacing the gates at the Hilden and Lambeg river control structures on the River Lagan.