Allister answers Wilson
03 June 2008
Statement by Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister:
“I have checked with both my offices in Belfast & Brussels and neither have a record of receiving such a communication from Open Europe.
However, I can readily deal with the issues/questions.
1. I do not use a "paying agent", rather staff are paid directly by EP budgetary staff in Brussels, direct to their own bank accounts each month. The payments are then reconciled annually, in accordance with EP rules.
2. Not applicable as no paying agent involved.
3. Most but not all of my allowances for staff have been utilised each year - even the DUP got paid for secretarial services in 2004, 2005 and 2006! No doubt they can tell you how much!
4. As appears from Answer 3 there would be a small underspend each year.
5. As is well known my daughter works full-time in my Belfast office, where I presently have 4 full-time staff, with a 5th due to start next month. Also a PA who lives and works in Brussels (as required by the rules) paid directly by Brussels as part of "Non-Attached" staff compliment. (This would have been the job which Rhonda Paisley was paid to do under my predecessor, though I never heard of her living in Brussels!)
6. I could only name my staff with their consent, but anyone who comes to my offices will meet them - mine do exist!
7. I annually update my register of interests in accordance with EP rules. I believe the entry is on the EP's website.
It has been clear for some time that the DUP has been smarting over FOI disclosures. This is the latest diversionary tactic by the party. How European Parliament funds have been spent over the years may not be the smartest question for them to draw attention to. Maybe, they would like to lead by example by publishing how and to whom all EP funds were paid when Ian Paisley held the position. Does Sammy Wilson know, or does he care, or is he just interested in attempting a pathetic swipe at someone who is actually doing the job in Europe?”
