S.I. No. 377/2001 - Oireachtas (Allowances To Members) and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Act, 1998 (Allowances and Allocations) Order, 2001

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, 2001.

2. (1) There shall be payable to a member of Dáil Éireann who holds or held the positions of

(a) Minister of State to the Department of the Taoiseach.

(b) Minister of State to the Government.

an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position or positions to attend at Government meetings, at the rate of £10,000 per year, in respect of any period beginning on 26 June 1997 and ending with 30 June 1999, during which the member held the position.

(2) There shall be payable to a member of Dáil Éireann who holds or held the position or positions of

(a) Minister of State to the Department of the Taoiseach.

(b) Minister of State to the Government.

an allowance in respect of the member's duties as holder of that position or positions to attend at Government meetings, at the rate of £10,586 per year, in respect of any period beginning on 1 July 1999, during which the member held the position.

3. (1) There shall be 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 26 June 1997 and ending with 30 June 1999, during which the member held that position.

(2) There shall be payable to a member of Dáil Éireann who holds 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 1 July 1999 during which the member held that position.

4. (1) There shall be payable to a member of Seanad Éireann who holds 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 August 1997 and ending with 30 June 1999, during which the member held that position.

(2) There shall be payable to a member of Seanad Éireann who holds 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 1 July 1999, during which the member held that position.

5. (1) There shall be payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds the position of chairperson of an Oireachtas 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 the date specified in column (4) of that Schedule opposite that reference number and ending with 30 June 1999, during which the member held that position.

(2) There shall be payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds 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 1 July 1999, during which the member held that position.

6. (1) There shall be payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds the position of chairperson of an Oireachtas sub-committee specified in column (2) of Part 4 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 the date specified in column (4) of that Schedule opposite that reference number and ending with 30 June 1999, during which the member held that position.

(2) There shall be payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds 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 1 July 1999 during which the member held that position.

7. (1) There shall be payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds the position of vice-chairperson of an Oireachtas Committee specified in column (2) of Part 5 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 the date specified in column (4) of that Schedule opposite that reference number and ending with 30 June 1999, during which the member held that position.

(2) There shall be payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds 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 1 July 1999, during which the member held that position.

8. (1) There shall be payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds the position of whip to an Oireachtas Committee specified in column (2) of Part 6 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 the date specified in column (4) of that Schedule opposite that reference number and ending with 30 June 1999, during which the member held that position.

(2) There shall be payable to a member of the Oireachtas who holds the position of whip to an 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 1 July 1999, during which the member held that position.

9. (1) There shall be allocated to the chairperson of an Oireachtas Committee specified in column (2) of Part 7 of Schedule 1 to this Order at any reference number, an 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

(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 the date specified in column (4) of that Schedule opposite that reference number and ending with 30 June 1999.

(2) There shall be 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 1 July 1999.

10. The Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Act, 1998 (Allowances and Allocations) Order, 1999 (

S.I. No. 429 of 1999

) 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

£ 8,000

2.

Whip to the Fine Gael Party

£ 10,000

3.

Whip to the Labour Party

£ 8,000

4.

Whip to the Progressive Democrats Party

£ 3,000

5.

Whip to the Green Party

£ 3,000

6.

Assistant Whip to Fine Gael

£ 5,000

7.

Assistant Whip to Labour Party

£ 3,000

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

£ 5,000

2.

Opposition Leader

£ 5,000

3.

Government Whip

£ 3,000

4.

Assistant Government Whip

£ 2,000

5.

Opposition Whip

£ 3,000

6.

Leader of an independent group

£ 3,000

7.

Leader of the Labour Group

£ 3,000

8.

Whip to an independent group

£ 2,000

9.

Whip to the Labour Group

£ 2,000

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)

Date

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

1.

The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

£ 10,000

07.04.98

2.

The Joint Committee on European Affairs

£ 10,000

07.04.98

3.

The Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights

£ 10,000

07.04.98

4.

The Joint Committee on Family, Community and Social Affairs

£ 10,000

07.04.98

5.

The Joint Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language

£ 10,000

07.04.98

6.

The Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport

£ 10,000

07.04.98

7.

The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

£ 10,000

07.04.98

8.

The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

£ 10,000

07.04.98

9.

The Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government

£ 10,000

07.04.98

10.

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

£ 10,000

07.04.98

11.

The Joint Committee on Health and Children

£ 10,000

07.04.98

12.

The Joint Committee on Education and Science

£ 10,000

07.04.98

13.

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation

£ 10,000

07.04.98

14.

The Committee of Public Accounts

£ 10,000

07.04.98

15.

The Joint House Services Committee

£ 10,000

07.04.98

16.

The British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body

£ 10,000

07.04.98

17.

The Joint Committee on the Strategic Management Initiative

£ 10,000

19.01.98

18.

The Select Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil Éireann

£ 10,000

07.04.98

19.

The Select Committee on Members' Interests of Seanad Éireann

£ 3,000

07.04.98

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)

Date

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

1.

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

£3,000

19.11.97

- Sub-committee on Human Rights

2.

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

£3,000

19.11.97

- Sub-committee on Development & Co-operation

3.

Joint Committee on Environment & Local Government

£3,000

19.11.97

- Sub-committee on Sustainable Development

4.

Joint Committee on Education and Science

£3,000

19.11.97

- Sub-committee on Educational Disadvantage

5.

Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights

£3,000

19.11.97

- Sub-committee on Women's Rights

6.

Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights

£3,000

19.11.97

- Sub-committee on Crime and Punishment

7.

Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights

£3,000

19.11.97

- Sub-committee on Legislation & Security

8.

Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

£3,000

19.11.97

- Sub-committee on the Freedom of Information Act

9.

Joint Committee on Health & Children

£3,000

19.11.97

- Sub-committee on Health & Smoking

10.

Committee of Public Accounts

£3,000

16.10.97

- Sub-committee on Certain Revenue Matters

11.

Committee on Procedures and Privileges of Dáil Éireann

£3,000

13.11.97

- Sub-committee on Members' Services of Dáil Éireann

12.

Committee on Procedures and Privileges of Seanad Éireann

£3,000

22.10.97

- 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)

Date

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

1.

The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

£5,000

19.11.97

2.

The Joint Committee on European Affairs

£5,000

19.11.97

3.

The Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights

£5,000

19.11.97

4.

The Joint Committee on Family, Community and Social Affairs

£5,000

19.11.97

5.

The Joint Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language

£5,000

19.11.97

6.

The Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport

£5,000

19.11.97

7.

The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

£5,000

26.11.97

8.

The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

£5,000

19.11.97

9.

The Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government

£5,000

19.11.97

10.

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

£5,000

19.11.97

11.

The Joint Committee on Health and Children

£5,000

19.11.97

12.

The Joint Committee on Education and Science

£5,000

19.11.97

13.

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation

£5,000

26.11.97

14.

The Committee of Public Accounts

£5,000

16.10.97

15.

The Joint House Services Committee

£5,000

19.11.97

16.

The British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body

£5,000

19.11.97

17.

The Joint Committee on the Strategic Management Initiative

£5,000

19.01.98

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)

Date

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

1.

The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

£3,000

19.11.97

2.

The Joint Committee on European Affairs

£3,000

19.11.97

3.

The Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights

£3,000

19.11.97

4.

The Joint Committee on Family, Community and Social Affairs

£3,000

19.11.97

5.

The Joint Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language

£3,000

19.11.97

6.

The Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport

£3,000

19.11.97

7.

The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

£3,000

26.11.97

8.

The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

£3,000

19.11.97

9.

The Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government

£3,000

19.11.97

10.

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

£3,000

19.11.97

11.

The Joint Committee on Health and Children

£3,000

19.11.97

12.

The Joint Committee on Education and Science

£3,000

19.11.97

13.

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation

£3,000

26.11.97

14.

The Committee of Public Accounts

£3,000

16.10.97

15.

The Joint Committee on the Strategic Management Initiative

£3,000

19.01.98

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)

Date

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

1.

The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

£8,000

19.11.97

2.

The Joint Committee on European Affairs

£8,000

19.11.97

3.

The Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights

£8,000

19.11.97

4.

The Joint Committee on Family, Community and Social Affairs

£8,000

19.11.97

5.

The Joint Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language

£8,000

19.11.97

6.

The Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport

£8,000

19.11.97

7.

The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

£8,000

26.11.97

8.

The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

£8,000

19.11.97

9.

The Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government

£8,000

19.11.97

10.

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

£8,000

19.11.97

11.

The Joint Committee on Health and Children

£8,000

19.11.97

12.

The Joint Committee on Education and Science

£8,000

19.11.97

13.

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation

£8,000

26.11.97

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

£ 8,474

2.

Whip to the Fine Gael Party

£10,586

3.

Whip to the Labour Party

£ 8,474

4.

Whip to the Progressive Democrats Party

£ 3,374

5.

Whip to the Green Party

£ 3,374

6.

Assistant Whip to Fine Gael

£ 5,414

7.

Assistant Whip to Labour Party

£ 3,374

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

£ 5,414

2.

Opposition Leader

£ 5,414

3.

Government Whip

£ 3,374

4.

Assistant Government Whip

£ 2,354

5.

Opposition Whip

£ 3,374

6.

Leader of an independent group

£ 3,374

7.

Leader of the Labour Group

£ 3,374

8.

Whip to an independent group

£ 2,354

9.

Whip to the Labour Group

£ 2,354

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

£10,586

2.

The Joint Committee on European Affairs

£10,586

3.

The Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights

£10,586

4.

The Joint Committee on Family, Community and Social Affairs

£10,586

5.

The Joint Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language

£10,586

6.

The Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport

£10,586

7.

The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

£10,586

8.

The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

£10,586

9.

The Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government

£10,586

10.

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

£10,586

11.

The Joint Committee on Health and Children

£10,586

12.

The Joint Committee on Education and Science

£10,586

13.

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation

£10,586

14.

The Committee of Public Accounts

£10,586

15.

The Joint House Services Committee

£10,586

16.

The British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body

£10,586

17.

The Joint Committee on the Strategic Management Initiative

£10,586

18.

All Party Committee on the Constitution

£ 10,586

19.

The Select Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil Éireann

£10,586

20.

The Select Committee on Members' Interests of Seanad Éireann

£ 3,374

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.

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

£3,374

- Sub-committee on Human Rights

2.

Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs

£3,374

- Sub-committee on Development & Co-operation

3.

Joint Committee on Environment & Local Government

£3,374

- Sub-committee on Sustainable Development

4.

Joint Committee on Public Enterprise

£3,374

- Sub-committee on Mini Centralised Traffic Control Signalling Project

5.

Joint Committee on Public Enterprise

£3,374

- Sub-committee on the River Shannon Authority

6.

Joint Committee on Education and Science

£3,374

- Sub-committee on Educational Disadvantage

7.

Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights

£3,374

- Sub-committee on Women's Rights

8.

Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights

£3,374

- Sub-committee on Crime and Punishment

9.

Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights

£3,374

- Sub-Committee on Legislation & Security

10.

Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence & Women's Rights

£3,374

- Sub-committee on the Abbeylara Incident

11.

Joint Committee on Social, Community & Family Affairs

£3,374

- Sub-committee on Pensions

12.

Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

£3,374

- Sub-committee on the Freedom of Information Act

13.

Joint Committee on Health & Children

£3,374

- Sub-committee on Health & Smoking

14.

Committee of Public Accounts

£3,374

- Sub-committee on Certain Revenue Matters

15.

Committee on Procedures and Privileges of Dáil Éireann

£3,374

- Sub-committee on Members' Services of Dáil Éireann

16.

Committee on Procedures and Privileges of Seanad Éireann

3,374

- 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

£5,414

2.

The Joint Committee on European Affairs

£5,414

3.

The Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights

£5,414

4.

The Joint Committee on Family, Community and Social Affairs

£5,414

5.

The Joint Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language

£5,414

6.

The Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport

£5,414

7.

The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

£5,414

8.

The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

£5,414

9.

The Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government

£5,414

10.

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

£5,414

11.

The Joint Committee on Health and Children

£5,414

12.

The Joint Committee on Education and Science

£5,414

13.

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation

£5,414

14.

The Committee of Public Accounts

£5,414

15.

The Joint House Services Committee

£5,414

16.

The British-Irish Inter-Parliamentary Body

£5,414

17.

The Joint Committee on the Strategic Management Initiative

£5,414

18.

All Party Committee on the Constitution

£5,414

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

£3,374

2.

The Joint Committee on European Affairs

£3,374

3.

The Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights

£3,374

4.

The Joint Committee on Family, Community and Social Affairs

£3,374

5.

The Joint Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language

£3,374

6.

The Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport

£3,374

7.

The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

£3,374

8.

The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

£3,374

9.

The Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government

£3,374

10.

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

£3,374

11.

The Joint Committee on Health and Children

£3,374

12.

The Joint Committee on Education and Science

£3,374

13.

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation

£3,374

14.

The Committee of Public Accounts

£3,374

15.

The Joint Committee on the Strategic Management Initiative

£3,374

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

£8,474

2.

The Joint Committee on European Affairs

£8,474

3.

The Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights

£8,474

4.

The Joint Committee on Family, Community and Social Affairs

£8,474

5.

The Joint Committee on Heritage and the Irish Language

£8,474

6.

The Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport

£8,474

7.

The Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business

£8,474

8.

The Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

£8,474

9.

The Joint Committee on Environment and Local Government

£8,474

10.

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

£8,474

11.

The Joint Committee on Health and Children

£8,474

12.

The Joint Committee on Education and Science

£8,474

13.

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation

£8,474

GIVEN under the Official Seal

of the Government.

BERTIE AHERN. T.D.

Taoiseach

27 July 2001.

Explanatory Note

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

The Order:-

(a) provides for the payment of an allowance to the two Ministers of State who routinely attend Government meetings, in line with the recommendations of

Report No. 38 of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector

;

(b) provides for the payment of an allowance to the Assistant Whips of parties with at least seven members in the Dail;

(c) extends the allowances already paid to the chairs, vice-chairs and whips of Oireachtas Committees and the chairs of Sub-committees to include a number of positions not already in receipt of an allowance, and standardises the arrangements already in place.

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