S.I. No. 59/2003 - Oireachtas (Allowances To Members) and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Act, 1998 (Allowances and Allocations) Order 2003

The Government, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by sections 3 , 3A (as inserted by the Ministerial, Parliamentary and Judicial Offices and Oireachtas Members (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2001 (No. 33 of 2001)) 4 , 5 and 8 of the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Act 1998 (No. 5 of 1998), hereby orders as follows:

1. This Order may be cited as the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Act 1998 (Allowances and Allocations) Order 2003.

2. (1) There is payable to a member of Dáil éireann who holds or held the position of Minister of State to the Department of the Taoiseach, an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position to attend at Government meetings, at the rate of €15,413.35 per year, in respect of any period beginning on 6 June 2002 and ending with 6 November 2002, during which the member held the position.

(2) There is payable to a member of Dáil éireann who holds or held the position of Minister of State to the Department of the Taoiseach, an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position to attend at Government meetings, at the rate of €16,030 per year, in respect of any period beginning on 7 November 2002 during which the member held the position.

3. (1) There is payable to a member of Dáil éireann who holds or held a position in Dáil éireann specified in column (2) of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to this Order at any reference number, an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position at the rate per year specified in column (3) of that Schedule opposite that reference number, in respect of any period beginning on 6 June 2002 and ending with 6 November 2002, during which the member held that position.

(2) There is payable to a member of Dáil éireann who holds or held a position in Dáil éireann specified in column (2) of Part 1 of Schedule 2 to this Order at any reference number, an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position at the rate per year specified in column (3) of that Schedule opposite that reference number, in respect of any period beginning on 7 November 2002, during which the member held that position.

4. (1) There is payable to a member of Seanad éireann who holds or held a position in Seanad éireann specified in column (2) of Part 2 of Schedule 1 to this Order at any reference number, an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position at the rate per year specified in column (3) of that Schedule opposite that reference number, in respect of any period beginning on 6 June 2002 and ending with 6 November 2002, during which the member held that position.

(2) There is payable to a member of Seanad éireann who holds or held a position in Seanad éireann specified in column (2) of Part 2 of Schedule 2 to this Order at any reference number, an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position at the rate per year specified in column (3) of that Schedule opposite that reference number, in respect of any period beginning on 7 November 2002, during which the member held that position.

5. (1) There is payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds or held the position of chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee being the Select Committee on European Affairs, an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position, at the rate of €15,413.35 per year in respect of any period beginning on 6 June 2002 and ending with 6 November 2002, during which the member held that position.

(2) There is payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds or held the position of chairperson of an Oireachtas Committee specified in column (2) of Part 3 of Schedule 2 to this Order at any reference number, an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position, at the rate per year specified in column (3 of that Schedule opposite that reference number, in respect of any period beginning on 7 November 2002, during which the member held that position.

6. (1) There is payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds or held the position of chairperson of an Oireachtas sub-committee specified in column (2) of Part 3 of Schedule 1 to this Order at any reference number, an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position, at the rate per year specified in column (3 of that Schedule opposite that reference number, in respect of any period beginning on 6 June 2002 and ending with 6 November 2002, during which the member held that position.

(2) There is payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds or held the position of chairperson of an Oireachtas sub-committee specified in column (2) of Part 4 of Schedule 2 to this Order at any reference number, an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position, at the rate per year specified in column (3 of that Schedule opposite that reference number, in respect of any period beginning on 7 November 2002, during which the member held that position.

7. (1) There is payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds or held the position of vice-chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee being the Select Committee on European Affairs, an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position, at the rate of €7,882.53 per year in respect of any period beginning on 6 June 2002 and ending with 6 November 2002, during which the member held that position.

(2) There is payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds or held the position of vice-chairperson of an Oireachtas Committee specified in column (2) of Part 5 of Schedule 2 to this Order at any reference number, an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position, at the rate per year specified in column (3 of that Schedule opposite that reference number, in respect of any period beginning on 7 November 2002, during which the member held that position.

8. (1) There is payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds or held the position of whip to an Oireachtas Committee being the Select Committee on European Affairs an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position, at the rate of €4,912.62 per year, in respect of any period beginning on 6 June 2002 and ending with 6 November 2002, during which the member held that position.

(2) There is payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds or held the position of whip to the Oireachtas Committee specified in column (2) of Part 6 of Schedule 2 to this Order at any reference number, an annual allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position, at the rate per year specified in column (3) of that Schedule opposite that reference number in respect of any period beginning on 7 November 2002, during which the member held that position.

9. (1) There is allocated to the chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee being the Select Committee on European Affairs, an amount at the rate of €12,338.04 per year to enable allowances to be paid, at rates determined by that Committee, to —

(a) members of the Committee, or

(b) members of any of its sub-committees,

other than those holding the position mentioned in section 3 or 4 of the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Act, 1998 (No. 5 of 1998), in respect of the performance of specific duties assigned to them by the Committee or sub-committee and that relate to its operation in respect of any period beginning on 6 June 2002 and ending with 6 November 2002.

(2) There is allocated to the chairperson of an Oireachtas Committee specified in column (2) of Part 7 of Schedule 2 to this Order at any reference number, an annual amount, at the rate per year specified in column (3) of that Schedule opposite that reference number, to enable allowances to be paid, at rates determined by that Committee, to —

(a) members of the Committee, or

(b) members of any of its sub-committees,

other than those holding the position mentioned in section 3 or 4 of the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Act, 1998 , in respect of the performance of specific duties assigned to them by the Committee or sub-committee and that relate to its operation, in respect of any period beginning on 7 November 2002.

10. The Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Act, 1998 (Allowances and Allocations) Order 2001 ( S.I. No. 377 of 2001 ) is revoked.

SCHEDULE 1

PART 1

Article 3

Rates of allowances payable to holders of specified positions in Dáil Éireann

Reference number	Position	Rates of allowance (in each case per year)
(1)	(2)	(3)
1.	Assistant Government Whip	€12,338.04
2.	Whip to the Fine Gael Party	€15,413.35
3.	Whip to the Labour Party	€12,338.04
4.	Whip to the Progressive Democrats Party	€4,912.62
5.	Whip to the Green Party	€4,912.62
6.	Whip to the Sinn Féin Party	€4,912.62
7.	Assistant Whip to the Fine Gael Party	€7,882.53
8.	Assistant Whip to the Labour Party	€4,912.62
9.	Assistant Whip to the Progressive Democrats	€3,428.29

PART 2

Article 4

Rates of allowances payable to holders of specified positions in Seanad Éireann

Reference number	Position	Rates of allowance (in each case per year)
(1)	(2)	(3)
1.	Deputy Leader of the House	€7,882.53
2.	Opposition Leader	€7,882.53
3.	Government Whip	€4,912.62
4.	Assistant Government Whip	€3,428.29
5.	Opposition Whip	€4,912.62
6.	Leader of an independent group	€4,912.62
7.	Leader of the Labour Group	€4,912.62
8.	Whip to an independent group	€3,428.29
9.	Whip to the Labour Group	€3,428.29

PART 3

Article 6

Rates of allowances payable to chairpersons of specified Oireachtas sub-committees

Reference number	Oireachtas Sub-committee	Rates of allowance (in each case per year)
(1)	(2)	(3)
1.	The Select Committee on European Affairs	€4,912.62
	- Sub-committee on EU Scrutiny
2.	The Committee on Procedures and Privileges of Dáil éireann	€4,912.62
	- Sub-committee on Members' Services of Dáil éireann
3.	The Committee on Procedures and Privileges of Seanad éireann	€4,912.62
	- Sub Committee on Members' Services of Seanad éireann

SCHEDULE 2

PART 1

Article 3

Rates of allowances payable to holders of specified positions in Dáil Éireann.

Reference number	Position	Rates of allowance (in each case per year)
(1)	(2)	(3)
1.	Assistant Government Whip	€12,832
2.	Whip to the Fine Gael Party	€16,030
3.	Whip to the Labour Party	€12,832
4.	Whip to the Progressive Democrats Party	€5,109
5.	Whip to the Green Party	€5,109
6.	Whip to the Sinn Féin Party	€5,109
7.	Assistant Whip to the Fine Gael Party	€8,198
8.	Assistant Whip to the Labour Party	€5,109
9.	Assistant Whip to the Progressive Democrats Party	€3,565

PART 2

Article 4

Rates of allowances payable to holders of specified positions in Seanad Éireann.

Reference number	Position	Rates of allowance (in each case per year)
(1)	(2)	(3)
1.	Deputy Leader of the House	€8,198
2.	Opposition Leader	€8,198
3.	Government Whip	€5,109
4.	Assistant Government Whip	€3,565
5.	Opposition Whip	€5,109
6.	Leader of an independent group	€5,109
7.	Leader of the Labour Group	€5,109
8.	Whip to an independent group	€3,565
9.	Whip to the Labour Group	€3,565

PART 3

Article 5

Rates of allowances payable to chairpersons of specified Oireachtas Committees.

Reference number	Oireachtas Committee	Rates of allowance (in each case per year)
(1)	(2)	(3)
1.	The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs	€16,030
2.	The Joint Committee on European Affairs	€16,030
3.	The Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights	€16,030
4.	The Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs	€16,030
5.	The Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources	€16,030
6.	The Joint Committee on Transport	€16,030
7.	The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business	€16,030
8.	The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service	€16,030
9.	The Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government	€16,030
10.	The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food	€16,030
11.	The Joint Committee on Health and Children	€16,030
12.	The Joint Committee on Education and Science	€16,030
13.	The Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs	€16,030
14.	The Committee of Public Accounts	€16,030
15.	The Joint House Services Committee	€16,030
16.	The British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body	€16,030
17.	All Party Committee on the Constitution	€16,030
18.	The Select Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil éireann	€16,030 €16,030
19.	The Select Committee on Members' Interests of Seanad éireann	€5,109

PART 4

Article 6

Rates of allowances payable to chairpersons of specified Oireachtas sub-committees.

Reference number	Oireachtas Sub-committee	Rates of allowance (in each case per year)
(1)	(2)	(3)
1.	The Joint Committee on European Affairs	€5,109
	- Sub-committee on EU Scrutiny
2.	The Committee on Procedures and Privileges of Dáil éireann	€5,109
	- Sub-committee on Members' Services of Dáil éireann
3.	The Committee on Procedures and Privileges of Seanad éireann	€5,109
	- Sub Committee on Members' Services of Seanad éireann

PART 5

Article 7

Rates of allowances payable to vice-chairpersons of specified Oireachtas Committees.

Reference number	Oireachtas Committee	Rates of allowance (in each case per year)
(1)	(2)	(3)
1.	The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs	€8,198
2.	The Joint Committee on European Affairs	€8,198
3.	The Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights	€8,198
4.	The Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs	€8,198
5.	The Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources	€8,198
6.	The Joint Committee on Transport	€8,198
7.	The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business	€8,198
8.	The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service	€8,198
9.	The Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government	€8,198
10.	The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food	€8,198
11.	The Joint Committee on Health and Children	€8,198
12.	The Joint Committee on Education and Science	€8,198
13.	The Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs	€8,198
14.	The Committee of Public Accounts	€8,198
15.	The Joint House Services Committee	€8,198
16.	The British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body	€8,198
17.	All Party Committee on the Constitution	€8,198

PART 6

Article 8

Rates of allowances payable to whips to specified Oireachtas Committees.

Reference number	Oireachtas Committee	Rates of allowance (in each case per year)
(1)	(2)	(3)
1.	The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs	€5,109
2.	The Joint Committee on European Affairs	€5,109
3.	The Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights	€5,109
4.	The Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs	€5,109
5.	The Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources	€5,109
6.	The Joint Committee on Transport	€5,109
7.	The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business	€5,109
8.	The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service	€5,109
9.	The Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government	€5,109
10.	The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food	€5,109
11.	The Joint Committee on Health and Children	€5,109
12.	The Joint Committee on Education and Science	€5,109
13.	The Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs	€5,109
14.	The Committee of Public Accounts	€5,109

PART 7

Article 9

Rates of amounts to be allocated to chairpersons of specified Oireachtas Committees

Reference number	Oireachtas Committee	Rates of amount (in each case per year)
(1)	(2)	(3)
1.	The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs	€12,832
2.	The Joint Committee on European Affairs	€12,832
3.	The Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights	€12,832
4.	The Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs	€12,832
5.	The Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources	€12,832
6.	The Joint Committee on Transport	€12,832
7.	The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business	€12,832
8.	The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service	€12,832
9.	The Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government	€12,832
10.	The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food	€12,832
11.	The Joint Committee on Health and Children	€12,832
12.	The Joint Committee on Education and Science	€12,832
13.	The Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht	€12,832

	GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Government,
	BERTIE AHERN, T.D.
	Taoiseach
	18 February 2003

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

The Order replaces a previous Order made in 2001, and takes account of the revised Committee arrangements in the Dáil and Seanad. The levels of allowance are unchanged from those in the previous Order. Two new positions are provided for, however, namely Party Whip to Sinn Fein and Assistant Whip to the Progressive Democrats, as a result of their increased representation in the Dáil. The Order also takes account of the application of the final phase of the PPF with effect from 1 October 2002.