Gone but not forgotten
It has been almost 6 months since the European Parliament elections and while the north’s three MEPs have almost disappeared from the media and political radar, until the next election, the defeated Jim Allister continues to attract column inches and coverage way beyond the elected position he doesn’t hold and the strength of his party.
But what have de Brún, Dodds and Nicholson been at since they were sent off to Brussels? The European Parliament website gives some clues as it provides details on their Plenary Speeches (not always speeches), Parliamentary questions and almost pointless Motions for a Resolution. As yet it is not giving attendance information. This data can be pretty meaningless given the uninfluential, on a European level, Jim Allister previously trumped both de Brún and Nicholson in most areas.de Brún:
3 Parliamentary questions
1 Motion for a Resolution
6 Speeches in Plenary (4 in Irish)
16 Speeches in Plenary
No other activity
1 Parliamentary Question
4 Motions for a Resolution
9 Speeches in Plenary
Why not dip into their contributions and report any pearls of wisdom you come across. You’ll find Dodds ‘stands before’ people quite often.
i understand JImbo attended the EU parliament about 150 times, being paid £1100 per trip for airfare- as you can get a return ticket to brussels for around £200-£300 does anyone know what Jim did with the rest…. its a heck of a lot of money…something liek £110000 unaccounted for, makes Robinsons £15000 look like peanuts
Diane has been appointed to the European Parliament’s Delegation to Israel, first Northern Irish representative ever to be appointed to the body.
Andrew,
I’m not as anal as some about comments drifting from the blog content (what the current MEPs are at) but can I suggest that question could as easily be directed to and answered by the DUP given he was a member during a substantial period for the claims you mention.
Mark the link for Nicholson’s parlimentary question opens up Dodd’s page again.
RS,
Cheers. Should be fixed now. Delighted to know at least one person actually had a good look at the links.
pretty impressive number of contributions from dodds, and on a wide range of topics. nobody can criticise her in light of the fact she has made more speeches in plenary than the other two put together.
nicholsons delivery is shocking in some of those speeches. and i note some of his motions for resolutions only got to him becasue someone else couldnt turn up.
I have to say i was surprised when Nicholson merely referred to the recent cigarettes seizure as being merely linked to a ‘dissident Northern Ireland terrorist group’. He didn’t try and score a political point unlike Dodd’s minority langauge speech, which started out as a defence of Ulster-Scots and ends up as a rant against Sinn Fein.
I’d be interested to hear the commission’s response to deBrún’s ‘Cross-border childcare vouchers’ question as the reverse is applicable in my own case.
but can I suggest that question could as easily be directed to and answered by the DUP given he was a member during a substantial period for the claims you mention.
Posted by Mark McGregor on Nov 28, 2009 @ 08:44 PM
why ask the DUP? is Jim incapable of answering for himself?
Andrew,
The question is applicable to the DUP, SF and UUP – all benefit from the same allowance. If you want a potentially damaging to Allister question answered, why not approach the DUP who will have the details for nearly half his term.
Funny thing is – their answer, like your question applies to Dodds and the rest.
What is Dodds doing with the extra money? de Brún? Nicholson?
mark youre very protective of Jim, given that he is on his high horse over expenses at westminster, isnt it right that we should ask about his own
why ask his party? the expenses were paid to him not the DUP
Come on Andrew, tell us all about Doddsies flights on Easyjet and youth hostelling experience…
Come on Andrew, tell us all about Doddsies flights on Easyjet and youth hostelling experience…
why dont you ask them yourself…anyone heard from jim about the 150,000 quid he got? where have all the Tuvites gone now?
Well Andrew, what’s good for goose is good for gander. Go forth and march on Holywood Road to demand an answer!
Richard,
Maybe if you knew what you’re talking about it would help.
The old MEP expesnes system has been completely reformed. Unlike when Jim Allister was MEP, the flat rate is gone because MEPs got to pocket the balance. So if Doddsie, Babs or Jimmy Nic take an easyjet flight at 11.99, they get 11.99 paid out.