Abstentionist SF MPs can claim over £130,000 and not attend Westminster but expect Unionists to attend Dáil - Elliott
Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone, Tom Elliott MLA has again called on the Government to re-examine funding issues surrounding Sinn Fein MP’s after the publication of amounts claimed by the 5 Westminster MP’s including Michelle Gildernew who claimed allowances of £138,779 in the year 2006/2007.
Tom said: “Sinn Fein are sitting in the Assembly and the Sinn Fein Ministers have taken an oath to sit in the Executive but still refuse to swear allegiance to the British monarch in Westminster but still happy to claim massive amounts of allowances. The situation is made even more ridiculous by the decision of the Dail to invite Northern Ireland MP’s to sit on its newly established committee on the implementation of Belfast Agreement.
The Dail has refused to allow Northern Ireland MP’s any right to vote or to move any motions or amendments in this Committee, so what is the point or is it a further concession to Sinn Fein. I don’t expect to see many Unionist MP’s attending this Committee and would ask that the First Minister express his disapproval to his friend, Martin McGuinness and re-affirm our commitment to the East – West framework which is the best way for respective parliaments to examine the Belfast Agreement .
At a time when we are told we must tighten our belts regarding finances, this is a further waste of money. I wonder how Bertie Ahern would react if all Unionist MP’s put their names forward with no intention of attending but lodged claims with the Southern Government for £100,000 expenses. I would expect that the money would be stopped overnight and not be like the British Government and continue to pay people for not attending Westminster.”