News website challenges party’s claim Tds take home average industrial wage. (as published at http://www.theirishworld.com/ http://bit.ly/fYsRuz )
Newswhip.ie have raised questions regarding Sinn Fein Tds’ claims to donate the balance of their salary received over and above the average industrial wage to the party.
The average industrial wage is currently reckoned at €35, 620 pa, a Td earns a minimum of €92,672 and the maximum donation permitted per Td to a political party is €6,348.69.
Donations over €5,078.95 require a declaration to be made to the SIPO. Newswhip.ie allege the Standards In Public Office commission has not received any declaration from Sinn Fein regarding the apparently surplus funds.
Similar claims to only take home the average industrial wage have been made by leftist MEP Joe Higgins, the SIPO’s 2008 figures show he paid €6,348.69 to the Socialist party in equal monthly installments.
Unlike Sinn Fein, Higgins has advised the scope of his donations goes beyond party services to causes he supports. Tds are free to donate to causes privately without involving the SIPO.
Speaking concerning 2009’s expenses scandal in the UK party leader Gerry Adams told press, “Sinn Féin MPs, like all party members who are paid a wage, receive exactly the same average industrial wage.”
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