MPs to refund honoraria overpayments in two years

MPs have been given two years to refund the overpayments they were given on their parliamentary honoraria, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said.

Replying to a question by Leo Brincat (PL) he said that the refunds are being made in instalments through a deduction of the pay of the ministers and the parliamentary secretaries.

The outstanding funds amount to €14,000 given when the ministers and parliamentary secretaries were given a higher honoraria than that paid to other MPs. The payments started in 2008 but the decision was rescinded last month, when the government decided to refer the issue on increases in the honoraria to a parliamentary committee.

It however decided that ministers and parliamentary secretaries should still be given the honoraria equivalent to that given to the other MPs, along with the ministerial pay.