Allister Pursues Misuse of Public Funds by Sinn Fein
05 May 2009
Ulster MEP Jim Allister, Leader of Traditional Unionist Voice, said today he was pushing for more detailed answers from Finance Minister Nigel Dodds over Sinn Fein Ministers’air travel expenses to Brussels for what were clearly party political purposes.
He alleged there had been a misuse of public funds.
Releasing letters he sent to Mr Dodds, following Sinn Fein ministers tagging a Sinn Fein publicity event in the European Parliament onto an official visit to Brussels, Mr Allister asked the Minister to raise the issue with the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to have their accounting officer investigate.
On 9 March Mr Allister initially wrote to Mr Dodds about the alleged abuse of taxpayers’ money.
"Dear Minister
I write to you as the Minister with oversight of departmental public expenditure.
When a Minister travels abroad at public expense, is he/she at liberty to exploit the free air travel provided to use the visit to fulfil party political engagements?
On 10th February 2009 McGuinness and Gildernew travelled to Brussels on official business and at public expense. After the official engagements McGuinness, and maybe Gildernew as well, attended and spoke at a Sinn Fein political propaganda event in the European Parliament, before travelling home courtesy of the taxpayer.
"Why should a Minister be able to misuse free travel to a venue in this way? Are there not processes in place to demand a contribution, at least, from the Minister/Party which has benefited from the politicking opportunity? If not, why not? Taxpayers' money should not be misused in this fashion. I look forward to hearing as to what action you propose.
Yours Sincerely, J H Allister.
On 15 April Mr Allister wrote to Mr Dodds saying:
"Dear Minister.
I am in receipt of what I assume is expected to pass as an answer to my letter of 9th March 2009.
I am very disappointed by the disinterest in such waste and abuse of public money, which your reply conveys.
Surely, you have oversight of all departmental public expenditure, as well as standards which you expect to be adhered to. Thus, I repeat, "When a Minister travels abroad at public expense, is he/she at liberty to exploit the free air travel provided to use the visit to fulfil party political engagements?" I would be greatly surprised if there are not DFP guidelines on such a basic matter. If there are not, will you now undertake to issue same?
"Having drawn this matter to your attention have you raised the issue with the accounting officer of OFMDFM and, if not, will you now do so?
''I, therefore, look forward to hearing from you further.
Yours sincerely. J H Allister".
Mr Allister, releasing the correspondence, said: "The Department has a public duty to investigate this as has the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. In these difficult economic times it is ridiculous that taxpayers’ money can be wasted in this fashion.”
