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26/05/2009
MLA's Expenses Under Scrutiny
Expenses being claimed by local politicians are to be scrutinised with news today that Northern Ireland Assembly allowances for office costs, food and travel are to come under the microscope.
The Assembly initiative is part of the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) report on MLAs' salaries and allowances the Assembly Commission - the body which runs the legislature, and has only recently begun the review.
Stormont Assembly Speaker William Hay (pictured) said: "The Commission has been considering the SSRB report in recent months.
"We want to ensure that the Assembly is open, transparent and demonstrates value for public money.
"Our goal is to have in place a model of best practice which is effective in supporting MLAs in their important work on behalf of the community and which commands public confidence," he said.
The Commission has decided to publish more detail about MLAs' individual claims starting in this financial year.
"This will be implemented as soon as administrative and IT arrangements are in place," a spokeswoman added.
The development is unrelated to the continuing controversy over Westminster expenses and revelations by the Daily Telegraph on leaked claims made by MPs for items often seen as - at the very least - to be 'stretching the rules'.
The Westminster politicians have been caught claiming for expenditure like clearing their own moats and furnishing ornamental duck islands.
See: 'Double-Jobbing' Salaries Top £4.7m
See: Lady Sylvia Repays Westminster Expenses
The Assembly initiative is part of the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) report on MLAs' salaries and allowances the Assembly Commission - the body which runs the legislature, and has only recently begun the review.
Stormont Assembly Speaker William Hay (pictured) said: "The Commission has been considering the SSRB report in recent months.
"We want to ensure that the Assembly is open, transparent and demonstrates value for public money.
"Our goal is to have in place a model of best practice which is effective in supporting MLAs in their important work on behalf of the community and which commands public confidence," he said.
The Commission has decided to publish more detail about MLAs' individual claims starting in this financial year.
"This will be implemented as soon as administrative and IT arrangements are in place," a spokeswoman added.
The development is unrelated to the continuing controversy over Westminster expenses and revelations by the Daily Telegraph on leaked claims made by MPs for items often seen as - at the very least - to be 'stretching the rules'.
The Westminster politicians have been caught claiming for expenditure like clearing their own moats and furnishing ornamental duck islands.
See: 'Double-Jobbing' Salaries Top £4.7m
See: Lady Sylvia Repays Westminster Expenses
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Some low cloud lingering in the north and west through the day, although cloud should burn back to the coast as the day goes on. Elsewhere some good sunny spells with very little cloud. Warm with light winds. Maximum temperature 22 °C.Tonight:A sunny evening for most except where cloud lingers along the north coast. Cloud will increase for a lot of areas overnight with mist and fog patches developing. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
