Thursday, 11 February 2010

Green Party T.D. for Carlow/Kilkenny, Mary White, has welcomed the announcement of reforms to politicians’ expenses, and also the latest energy use figures for the Oireachtas.

On the issue of a new expenses regime for Oireachtas members, the Green Party Deputy Leader said: “At long last reforms have been announced regarding politicians and expenses. The Green Party was the first party to call for such reforms and recognised some time ago that restoring trust in the political system must include greater transparency and value for money in the Oireachtas. The proposed streamlining of expenses; the vouched aspect of the new “public representative allowance”; and the “clocking in” requirement to prove Members’ attendance in the Oireachtas, are all positive steps towards ensuring lower costs and a transparent expenses regime.

Deputy White also welcomed the latest figures for energy use and carbon dioxide emissions, released by the Oireachtas Energy Team: “I’m pleased to see that electricity use in the Oireachtas fell by 5.1% in 2009 from the 2007/08 benchmark year despite an increase in the number of sitting days. New heating and cooling systems have led to progress such as a reduction in heating use by 18.6%. Carbon dioxide emissions fell by 9.5%. These are welcome developments, and compliment the work my colleague, Minister Ryan is doing through the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan to reduce energy use in the public sector by 33% by 2020.”

Deputy White concluded: “Reform in these difficult times must come from the top. These signs of progress in transparency, reducing cost and increased efficiency in Leinster House are welcome in this regard.”

[ENDS]

Filed under: Environment