Full MLA Expenses To Be Published

Northern Ireland Assembly members will publish their expenses from September, however no costs predating April this year will be made public.

Party leaders at Stormont have agreed to increased openness and transparency, as part of a ten-point policy statement.

However, claims regarded as security sensitive will not be published under the terms of the new agreement.

Speaker Willie Hay (pictured here) said he hoped the full publication of expenses will bolster public confidence in the Stormont Assembly: "Although we have a completely different system than Westminster, I am aware that the recent negative publicity about how MPs claim expenses has dented public trust and confidence," he said.

"I hope that the public will be encouraged that our local politicians are determined to ensure that the Assembly has an open, transparent and robust expenses system in which the public can have confidence."

Earlier this week MLAs agreed to register information on relatives they employ, as well as earnings made outside of Stormont.

(PR/BMcC)