http://thestory.ie/2010/02/14/im-simply-not-prepared-to-sign-off-on-a-proposal-that-provides-that-a-blanket-sum-is-handed-out-irrespective-of-whether-the-sum-has-been-incurred-or-not/ Sun, 20 May 2012 19:29:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://thestory.ie/2010/02/14/im-simply-not-prepared-to-sign-off-on-a-proposal-that-provides-that-a-blanket-sum-is-handed-out-irrespective-of-whether-the-sum-has-been-incurred-or-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2125 Unqualified to speak Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:09:52 +0000 http://thestory.ie/?p=1201#comment-2125 "The public representation allowance is a merging of many other headings also. TDs will be able to claim up to €15,000 completely unvouched or €25,000 vouched. It’s not clear if members claiming more than €15,000 will have to vouch all their expenses or just the €10,000 after they go over the €15,000 threshold." I can't find a reference, but I believe one would have to vouch the full 25,000. The point is to limit the amount of vouching done, to ensure that vouched expenses can be thoroughly audited. I think. It's a well-balanced set of incentives. Much better than a system where all expenses are vouched but improperly audited. It's lacking in transparency, it's not verifiable, but it keeps fraud to a manageable level. “The public representation allowance is a merging of many other headings also. TDs will be able to claim up to €15,000 completely unvouched or €25,000 vouched. It’s not clear if members claiming more than €15,000 will have to vouch all their expenses or just the €10,000 after they go over the €15,000 threshold.”
I can’t find a reference, but I believe one would have to vouch the full 25,000. The point is to limit the amount of vouching done, to ensure that vouched expenses can be thoroughly audited. I think.
It’s a well-balanced set of incentives. Much better than a system where all expenses are vouched but improperly audited. It’s lacking in transparency, it’s not verifiable, but it keeps fraud to a manageable level.

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