A date in Copenhagen
When Diane Dodds first took her place in the European parliament she was reported to be unhappy about her proximity to the BNP. Now it's Bairbre De Brun chance to get up close and personal with the new right wing arrivals. According to a missive from the UK Office of the European Parliament, three UK MEPs will be attending the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen as part of the official European Parliament delegation, Labour's Linda McAvan, Sinn Fein's Bairbre De Brun and the BNP Leader Nick Griffin. Other MEPs will be in attendance although not part of the formal delegation, so maybe Bairbre and Nick won't have to kill too much time in each other's company.
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~06~RS~)
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Mark,
You know what is coming - expenses. Diane Dodd's is now in the European Parliament 6 months. What I would like to know is -
1. Have family relatives ever been paid any money from the European Parliament?
2. If so, which family members?
3. Who owns their office facilities?
4. Have family members ever owned their office facilities at any time since election to the European Parliament?
5. If office facilities are held by a property company do family members act as directors of the company?
6. Have family members ever acted as directors of a property company owning office facilities?
7. MEPs are paid a flat rate of EUR1200 for every return trip to the European Parliament that they make, the Parliament allows MEPs to keep money not spent on the cost of travelling to and from the Parliament. What do the MEPs do with the surplus?
8. MEPs are paid a daily allowance to cover the cost of food and hotel accommodation of EUR287. What do the MEPs do with the surplus?
9. MEPs receive a communication allowance of some EUR38000. How much of this has been spent and on what was it spent?
10. Have family members ever been paid out of this source for the administration of websites?
11. Who has been paid by the European Parliament for running any websites/designing leaflets/news letters?"
Stormontspy
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Would a freedom of information request give you your answers spy?
Dont see the problem with Dodds and Griffin, they share alot of party policies, immigration; intolerence etc.
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Very funny BBC BIGOTS
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DisgustedinDerry,
The MEP's are not subject to Freedom of Information. As far as I know FOI only applies to -
1. Central and local government
2. The health service
3. Schools, colleges and universities
4. The police
Stormontspy
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spinspamspun7
I totally agree with your post, we are going to differ on this blog, but as I always say if you dont have an argument then attack the person or change the subject.
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Stormontspy
You say you dont support any political party but you have to admit you hate the DUP. Your mask slips so easy. Do we not have 3 MEP,s what about the other 2 can they spend whatever they want? or is it just DUP expenses your interested in. Diane has her own website and has said she will post her expenses on it. I dont even know why the BBC allowed your post it had nothing to do with Marks post but then alot of your posts go of the subject.
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LisburnDUP,
How do I hate the DUP? Is it simply you can't handle the truth so therefore you attack me. As Mark says play the ball not the man.
If you remember earlier this year the uproar over expenses. Sinn Fein do produce their expenses but rest assured I will keep an eye on it. As for Jim Nicholson I will also keep an eye there.
Diane Dodds launched her website a number of months ago. There is a section for expenses. Nothing is available yet except the spelling mistake "expesnes." I am sure you agree that someone in her office will get a ticking off.
Stormontspy
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Stormontspy
1.Why do I think you hate the DUP, I read your posts on these blogs.
2.I cant handle the truth, what truth have you posted on this blog
that I cant handle.
3 Attacking you, I havnt said a word about you,I havnt attacked you in any of my 1 posts. I ask are you interested in the other 2 MEP,s. I also point out your 1st post goes stright of the subject.
I think I play the ball every time.
Can you tell me where I can find Jim Nicholsons expenses I have looked but can find nothing.
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Mark:
Thanks, for the excellent story about the upcoming Copenhagen Summit....
=Dennis Junior=
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LisburnDUP,
You said "Why do I think you hate the DUP, I read your posts on these blogs."
Prove it.
Stormontspy
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So it goes like this - if you differ in opinion to the DUP you will be attacked for making comments, spin stay off the gargle if you are going to post. Seriously, attacking me at one o'clock in the morning. This seems to be an obsession, maybe some professional help needed.
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I happen to be somewhat familiar with the expenses at the EU parliament, to me it seems to be a more appropriate method of allocating expenses, you only get paid when you turn up, does that not make since? I know if I do not turn up for work, I don’t get paid, anyone care to agree of disagree?
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That should be the case for our double jobbers here in N.Ireland. Imagine the confussion at expenses time. Well I was wearing my MP's hat while at the same time I had my MLA's hat on while at the same time I had my councillor's hat on while at the same time I had my buisness hat on, in the mean time my poor accountant has committed suicide.
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The confusion I can only imagine, not a big fan of the double jobbing myself, how can someone represent me, as I vote for them I feel that they should be representing me and everyone else who votes for them, in let’s say Europe, when there at Stormont, or Westminster. It just doesn't make sense plain and simple, maybe I should try it, get another job and turn up on alternate days.
I also am aware that some aspects of the jobs can be organised to work together, such as constituency meetings, providing constituencies match up, but I just can’t see any other benefits.
Is there really such a lack of political talent in our wee country that we need to elect the same people twice? I feel that if this is the case then we have some problems, but I fear if it isn't we may have even more.
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Stormont Spy,
While you appear to be someone who thinks they know it all, your post is littered with inaccuracy. As reported in many of the broadsheets some months ago, the MEP expenses system has entirely changed. Gone is the flat rate travel allowance for example.
By the way, like you I am a stickler for spelling. your post 1 - Dodd's isn't the correct spelling. now tick yourself off and well you deserve it!!
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intheknow,
You must have little to do in Dundela. Why not go back and help Peter push forward Sinn Fein's agenda?
As a stickler for spelling (and also grammar) I must point out in your second paragraph that you have failed to use capital letters in all bar one sentence.
If you have little to do but attack me I feel sorry for you that you have such an empty life.
Stormontspy
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Spy thats a bit of a common theme amoung DUP mouth pieces on this blog!
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Lisburn DUP.
StormontSpy's attitude to politicians is like a famous line Mr McKay said to McLaren in Porridge.
"I will have you know that I am not prejudiced in any way! I treat you all with equal contempt!"
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