Mairead McGuinness Fine Gael MEP

MEP SALARY AND EXPENSES DETAIL

MEP Salary. In July 2009, a new system came into place with the introduction of the single Statute for Members of the European Parliament. Since that date all MEPs regardless of their home member state are paid the same salary – which is set at 38.5% of the basic salary of a judge at the European Court of Justice. This is paid from the budget of the European Union. The salary is first subject to EU tax and in addition Irish MEPs pay Irish tax on their salary.

For the previous mandates, MEPs were paid from the national budget of their Member State and received the same salary as a member of their national parliament. I was first elected in July 2004 and for the period July 2004 to July 2009 Irish MEPs received the same salary as a T.D. and paid all taxes in Ireland on that salary, just as a T.D.

Travel costs. Airline flights and other travel tickets are reimbursed at cost. The travel figure includes a flat rate subsistence allowance for accommodation, expenses and meals. Prior to July 2009, a flat-rate travel allowance regime was in place.

Staff budget. Provisions are laid down in the Statute for Members for the use of the Parliamentary Assistance Expenses to cover the costs of employing staff in Brussels, Strasbourg and the constituency office in Ireland.

MEPs interview and select their own staff. The maximum available budget for staff is fixed at EUR 21.209 per month (as at 1/1/2011). This money is not given directly to MEPs. It is only paid out to properly accredited persons who meet all the statutory criteria.

Staff based in Brussels (or Strasbourg) are administered and paid directly by the Parliament administration.

Staff who are based in an MEP’s home country are paid by an independent certified paying agent, an accountant, who is charged with ensuring that all appropriate tax and PRSI is paid.

I employ 4.5 full time staff equivalents (including interns and stagiaires) between Ireland, Brussels and Strasbourg (during plenary sessions); none are relatives but one is married to my husband’s brother. The allowance also pays for the travel and subsistence costs of assistants when they travel to Strasbourg for sessions of the Parliament and for other travel undertaken by staff in the course of their duties.

Office Allowance. This allowance is paid to cover all of the costs involved in running a constituency office, including running and maintenance costs, office supplies and documentation, office equipment costs, representational activities and administrative costs.

* Updated July 2011

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The rules governing MEPs expenses and allowances are the rules of the European Parliament (“Implementing Measures for the Statute for Members of the European Parliament”).