Transparency July 2014 – December 2014

Details of travel, office and staff budgets for the period from 1 July 2014 (following the European elections) to 31 December 2014 are:

Travel costs. MEPs are refunded the cost of travel on presentation of booking invoices, receipts (proof of payment) and boarding passes. Travel documents are submitted in paper format and are validated by the Parliament’s services. This entails checking boarding pass, breakdown of the cost of the ticket purchased and a separate document outlining the journey undertaken. The cost of my travel for the period from 1 July 2014 to the year end was €25,586. This includes travel to and from Ireland to Brussels and Strasbourg as well as additional travel undertaken in my role as Vice-President of the European Parliament. A flat-rate subsistence allowance of €304 per day of attendance at official meetings of Parliament is paid to cover accommodation, meals and all other expenses involved in such attendance. Members are requested to sign an official attendance register.

General expenditure. MEPs are provided with financial support in their constituency. This covers office management expenses; rent, heating, electricity, insurance, cleaning, maintenance and repair, working costs such as telephone bills, postal charges, internet subscriptions, costs related to MEPs’ websites, purchase of office supplies, purchase of books, periodicals and newspapers; purchase, maintenance and repair of office equipment, including furniture, IT equipment, telephones including mobile phones, and software. It also covers hotel and restaurant bills within the MEP’s member state as well as any costs related to the organisation of events, conferences, seminars, exhibitions or public meetings. This allowance of €4,320 per month is used in accordance with the principles applicable to its use – Council Regulation No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities, Council Regulation No 2342/2002 and the Implementing Measures of the Statute of Members of the European Parliament. My office is in the townland of Mentrim, Navan and is separate from my house. Please see details here: http://maireadmcguinness.ie/contact/

Staff. MEPs employ staff to work in Brussels, Strasbourg and Ireland. The salaries and related expenses are paid from a budget set by the Parliament. In 2014, I employed 4 staff members including 2 interns from July-August. None are related to me, although one is married to my brother-in-law.

Accredited assistants, based in Brussels (or Strasbourg), are administered and paid directly by Parliament’s administration. Administration of contracts for local assistants based in an MEP’s home country are handled by paying agents, in my case a qualified accountant, who guarantees that all appropriate tax and PRSI is paid. MEPs play no role in the administration of contracts. Staff work according to agreed conditions set out in the employment contracts. The nature of the work requires flexibility around working time and hours and involves attendance at evening and weekend meetings and events.

Staff details: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/28115/MAIREAD_MCGUINNESS_assistants.html

The monthly pre-tax salary of MEPs under the single statute is, in 2014, € 8,020. MEP salaries are paid from Parliament’s budget. My salary is subject to EU tax, Irish tax and accident insurance contribution.

Information about MEPs’ salaries and allowances, including staffing arrangements, is published on the Parliament’s website.