IN THE INTERESTS OF TRANSPARENCY, GREEN PARTY NI CALLS FOR FULL INQUIRY INTO MLA EXPENSE CLAIMS Green Party in Northern Ireland Leader Steven Agnew is calling for a full, independent and transparent enquiry into political expenses funded through the public purse following further revelations by BBC Spotlight. “There is a perception that politicians have their snout in the trough when it comes to public money. “This brings the entire political institution into disrepute in terms of public confidence,” the North Down MLA said. “Not all political representatives are ‘milking the system’ but while an air of suspicion hangs over how public money is being spent by parties and their elected representatives, confidence in the democratic system will be of course be low. “This has a natural negative impact on public trust and faith in political leadership, particularly at a time when we are facing huge social and economic crisis. “Too often political parties and individual MLAs dance on the head of pin when it comes to their expenses “Even when they are not technically breaking any laws or agreements, they are often not acting in the spirit of regulations of public finance. “At this particular time, when many vulnerable people are having difficulty accessing vital social security payments and even facing cuts to their income, it is particularly distressing when they see politicians seeming to be able to access public money without adequate scrutiny or accountability. “Such an inquiry also needs to take into the employment practices of those MLA’s who employ family members as the selection and application process is neither fair nor transparent. “They are not subject to the same employment regulations that everyone else has to abide by, there is a lack of scrutiny of performance and pay rates and inevitably accusations of nepotism are going to arise. “All my staff have been through an open recruitment process including an interview. “This is the only way to ensure that I get the best quality staff to help me perform my duties to the highest standard and to deliver to my constituents the best possible service. “While it is possible that a member of a MLAs family is the best person for the job they cannot know this if they do not have open competition. “This is good practice which I follow but it should be common practice required of all MLAs, as it is in other public appointments. “Without this type of accountability and transparency the perception persists that MLAs are using public money other than in the public interest. “If those who are accused of abusing the system are continuing to blame the system rather than take any personal or party responsibility for the management of public finances afforded to them, then the whole system needs to be reformed. “That must include strict penalties for those who fall short of the standards expected in public life. “This lack of transparency in really undermining democracy in Northern Ireland and given the vast area of other political difficulties that we are facing which need to be sorted out by the devolved administration, MLAs need the confidence of constituents and the trust of their peers
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 07:27:54 +0000
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