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28 Aug 11
13:14
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Date Joined:
05 Jan 10
Bertie Ahern has claimed €265k in secretarial expenses since 2008, but it's not clear what his 2 secretaries do!.
THE WORK OF two secretarial assistants who are employed by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at a cost of more than quarter of a million euro to the taxpayer remains a mystery.
A report by Colin Coyne in today’s Sunday Times details how Ahern has claimed €265,000 in expenses for secretarial services since he stepped down in 2008. He’s entitled to two secretaries for five years from the date he ceased to be the leader of the country, and one secretary after that. All former Taoisigh are entitled to the same staff allowances.
A spokesperson from the Department of the Taoiseach told TheJournal.ie that there are no specific details available on the role of secretarial assistants to former Taoisigh. They are not allowed to be engaged in any constituency or political work, and can assist the former Taoiseach in aspects of public life.
According to the Deparment of the Taoiseach the maximum amount that one of these secretarial assistants can be paid is €55,415 per annum. Ahern appears to be taking full advantage of the allotted monies, claiming €114,369 in secretarial expenses in 2009, and €106,838 in 2010, according to Colin Coyne’s report in the Sunday Times.
He is also entitled to mobile phone expenses, and has claimed in excess of €200 a month so far this year – €7,500 in total since 2008.
Bertie Ahern receives a pension of €150,000 a year as a former TD and minister, while he also takes in substantial income from private speaking engagements and appearances.
The Department of the Taoiseach spokesperson noted to TheJournal.ie that a comprehensive review of expenses paid out is currently underway, while a Fianna Fáil spokesperson told TheJournal.ie that the party does not comment on individual’s expenses
THE WORK OF two secretarial assistants who are employed by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at a cost of more than quarter of a million euro to the taxpayer remains a mystery.
A report by Colin Coyne in today’s Sunday Times details how Ahern has claimed €265,000 in expenses for secretarial services since he stepped down in 2008. He’s entitled to two secretaries for five years from the date he ceased to be the leader of the country, and one secretary after that. All former Taoisigh are entitled to the same staff allowances.
A spokesperson from the Department of the Taoiseach told TheJournal.ie that there are no specific details available on the role of secretarial assistants to former Taoisigh. They are not allowed to be engaged in any constituency or political work, and can assist the former Taoiseach in aspects of public life.
According to the Deparment of the Taoiseach the maximum amount that one of these secretarial assistants can be paid is €55,415 per annum. Ahern appears to be taking full advantage of the allotted monies, claiming €114,369 in secretarial expenses in 2009, and €106,838 in 2010, according to Colin Coyne’s report in the Sunday Times.
He is also entitled to mobile phone expenses, and has claimed in excess of €200 a month so far this year – €7,500 in total since 2008.
Bertie Ahern receives a pension of €150,000 a year as a former TD and minister, while he also takes in substantial income from private speaking engagements and appearances.
The Department of the Taoiseach spokesperson noted to TheJournal.ie that a comprehensive review of expenses paid out is currently underway, while a Fianna Fáil spokesperson told TheJournal.ie that the party does not comment on individual’s expenses
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[smiley:crazy] lmao
Bertie the pro-punter who never had a bank account.
Fecking scumbag of the highest order.
Fecking scumbag of the highest order.
Bertie created a couple of jobs there - at a time when the country is struggling that's not to be sniffed at.
He created the best social welfare in the world,,, hed be guaranteed 100,000 travellers votes in the presidentel election if he stood for creating the dont bother working culture.....man should be in jail...
Oh i'm sure timberman he slipped in in small fine print somewhere "Former taoiseachs can't not be jailed for any lawbreaking whatsoever
you would wonder what a PA on 50k a year does?
surely a better mobile tariff would be a good start
surely a better mobile tariff would be a good start
he done a great job for the people in the 6 counties ...this amount of money is chicken feed?
publics work? unts been hiding like gadaffi for the last few years.
Bertie solved the Northern problem and valued our education system,this should not be forgotten.
I think history will show that MI5 solved the Northern problem by infiltrating republicanism right up to the highest levels. As for Bertie,by his own admission,he spent most of the negotiations staring at the paintings on the walls while the lunatics from both sides ranted on. So some credit due then.
He brought peace to the north but left the south in pieces. Some legacy alright.
That this criminal is still at large speaks volumes for our corrupt legal system.The reason for his high phone bill is explained by all his overseas trips lecturing others on economics which he is doing for personal gain.The deal seems to be the state pay for Bertie Aherns secretaries to organise his commercial enterprises and his phone whilst he is over there thus leaving him free to pocket all the fees earned whilst the Irish state pick up his expenses.Not surprising then that the barristers at his tribunal,already having received over 7 million each,are refusing to waive their signing off brief.
The country needs Scoobyknows.
The country needs Scoobyknows.
Sure he's laughing on €264k expenses sham
BONANZA: Ahern's claims reach dizzy heights since he quit
Monday August 29 2011
TAXPAYERS have been forced to fork out nearly €270,000 to cover Bertie Ahern's expenses since he stepped down as Taoiseach.
Mr Ahern, whose government fuelled the property bubble, is entitled to two secretarial assistants, free mobile phone use and VIP services at airports.
He is also allowed the use of a State car for official engagements.
Mr Ahern has claimed far more money than other retired taoisigh, according to a report by the Department of the Taoiseach.
He has been paid just over €264,000 in expenses since he stepped down in May 2008, including €7,500 on mobile phone bills. The money is separate from his pension, which stands at €150,000 a year.
His secretarial expenses amounted to €106,838 last year and €114,369 in 2009.
He claimed €42,890 for secretarial expenses in the first six months of this year. This compared to €24,731 for Albert Reynolds and €13,562 for John Bruton.
Brian Cowen claimed €15,260 for secretarial assistance until the end of June. Under the current regime, former taoisigh can employ two secretarial assistants -- with a maximum annual salary of €55,415 -- for up to five years after leaving office.
They are entitled to keep on one assistant indefinitely after the initial five-year period ends.
Meanwhile, Mr Ahern has hit out at the Mahon Tribunal ahead of the publication of its final report, describing the focus on his personal finances as "trash".
When it was suggested to him that the planning tribunal would reject his convoluted explanations for his financial affairs, he replied: "Well, I don't know that. The Daily Mail said that. I wouldn't believe the date on the Daily Mail. So, you know, I haven't got a clue what will be in it."
Tribunal
He added: "The only thing that's important to me is the central allegation that has been made against me.
"Well, there's four: Did I interfere in the designation of Blanchardstown/Quarryvale? That's number one. Number two, did I interfere with the planning of Quarryvale/Blanchardstown? Number three, did I take money from O'Callaghan? Number four, did I take money from any of the six companies named?
"They're the only issues that matter. And the answer to the four of those, as far as I'm concerned, is No."
The Mahon Tribunal is expected to issue its final report before the end of the year.
comurphy@herald.ie
BONANZA: Ahern's claims reach dizzy heights since he quit
Monday August 29 2011
TAXPAYERS have been forced to fork out nearly €270,000 to cover Bertie Ahern's expenses since he stepped down as Taoiseach.
Mr Ahern, whose government fuelled the property bubble, is entitled to two secretarial assistants, free mobile phone use and VIP services at airports.
He is also allowed the use of a State car for official engagements.
Mr Ahern has claimed far more money than other retired taoisigh, according to a report by the Department of the Taoiseach.
He has been paid just over €264,000 in expenses since he stepped down in May 2008, including €7,500 on mobile phone bills. The money is separate from his pension, which stands at €150,000 a year.
His secretarial expenses amounted to €106,838 last year and €114,369 in 2009.
He claimed €42,890 for secretarial expenses in the first six months of this year. This compared to €24,731 for Albert Reynolds and €13,562 for John Bruton.
Brian Cowen claimed €15,260 for secretarial assistance until the end of June. Under the current regime, former taoisigh can employ two secretarial assistants -- with a maximum annual salary of €55,415 -- for up to five years after leaving office.
They are entitled to keep on one assistant indefinitely after the initial five-year period ends.
Meanwhile, Mr Ahern has hit out at the Mahon Tribunal ahead of the publication of its final report, describing the focus on his personal finances as "trash".
When it was suggested to him that the planning tribunal would reject his convoluted explanations for his financial affairs, he replied: "Well, I don't know that. The Daily Mail said that. I wouldn't believe the date on the Daily Mail. So, you know, I haven't got a clue what will be in it."
Tribunal
He added: "The only thing that's important to me is the central allegation that has been made against me.
"Well, there's four: Did I interfere in the designation of Blanchardstown/Quarryvale? That's number one. Number two, did I interfere with the planning of Quarryvale/Blanchardstown? Number three, did I take money from O'Callaghan? Number four, did I take money from any of the six companies named?
"They're the only issues that matter. And the answer to the four of those, as far as I'm concerned, is No."
The Mahon Tribunal is expected to issue its final report before the end of the year.
comurphy@herald.ie
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