Irish MEPs who lose their seats to get around €400,000 exit payments between them
MEPS from Ireland who lose their seats in Europe will be paid for five months after losing their seats
Irish MEPs who lost their seats in the European elections will get over €400,000 in exit payments over the next number of months as they are replaced by successful candidates in the coming days.
Counts are still ongoing in Ireland South and Midlands North-West. Grace O'Sullivan has an outside chance of retaining her seat in Ireland South but Chris MacManus now looks likely to be eliminated in Midlands North-West.
A number of high-profile candidates have lost their seats including Clare Daly and Frances Fitzgerald.
Each MEP who has served five years in the EU Parliament receives a “transitional allowance” per month for five months which adds up to €51,887 before tax.
The Irish Independent has revealed that MEPs who have served two terms in the Parliament - such as Fine Gael’s outgoing MEP Deirdre Clune, who was first elected in 2014 - will be paid up to €103,774 over the next year.
Sinn Féin’s Chris MacManus, who looks likely to lose his seat in Midlands-North West, will get a slightly lower allowance of €41,509 because he only served four full years in the Parliament after taking over Matt Carthy’s seat, the Irish Independent says.
MEPs who are seat to lose their seats include Fine Gael’s Deirdre Clune, Colm Markey and Frances Fitzgerald; Green Party’s Ciaran Cuffe and Independents 4 Change Clare Daly.
Figures revealed by Irish Independent also included payments for Mr MacManus as well as Green Party’s Grace O’Sullivan so- in their calculations as the two are anticipated to lose their seats in the coming days.