Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-12-17-Speech-3-088"
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"en.20031217.4.3-088"2
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".
The introduction of a
statute for the Members
of the European Parliament has been advocated for years now as a miracle cure for self-enrichment of MEPs. Instead of enabling Members to increase their income substantially by means of excessive benefits that are not recorded by the national tax administrations, it would make a clear-cut distinction between income and the expenses actually incurred. At the same time, it would bring to an end the equality of pay between MEPs and the members of national parliaments in their country. I actually agree with that equality of pay, although it does lead to extreme differences in income among MEPs in practice and is therefore seen as encouraging fraud. The lowest-paid make up for their deficiency, and the highest-paid willingly cash in too. Consequently, I have always supported the endeavours to bring about such a statute. However, earlier votes revealed that no majority support for this could be obtained without tax cuts and enormous salary increases for MEPs from a large number of Member States, including my own country, the Netherlands. The current proposal is based on the resolution of 3 June 2003, which I voted against for that reason. It does make some concessions to the Council’s objections, especially on national taxation, but these do not improve the proposal sufficiently to enable a ‘yes’ vote at present."@en1
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