Menu
28/04/2010
Senators Agree Pensions Surrender
Two Fianna Fáil Senators have joined the slew of politicians surrendering their ministerial pension entitlements as public pressure mounts.
Senators Terry Leyden and Ivor Callely became the latest politicians to forgo claiming their hefty state pensions for previous ministerial posts while simultaneously taking home a full wage.
Senator Leyden's pension was worth €21,000 last year.
There are a further five serving Fianna Fáil politicians who have yet to indicate whether they will give their pension back to the Exchequer or to charity including Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher, who has claimed he wants to avoid making a 'knee jerk' reaction.
This morning, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny accused Brian Cowen of abdicating all responsibility over the issue after the Taoiseach refused to accept the Fine Gael proposed legislation to immediately discontinue such payments.
Speaking this morning, Mr Kenny said: "Rather than deal with the issue head on, he hid behind threadbare legal arguments and refused to speak directly to his Fianna Fáil colleagues and ask them to give up the pension payment. It is this type of hands off, no can do attitude that has contributed over the years to the political and economic mess in which we now find ourselves as a country.
"The choice remains for Brian Cowen to deal with this issue on one of two fronts. Accept the Fine Gael legislation as we have been arguing for since last April or deal directly with the members of your own Parliamentary Party and secure their agreement not to accept the pension payment.
"If he continues to refuse to take up either option then the Taoiseach, his Fianna Fáil colleagues and his coalition partners in Government will face a Dáil vote on the issue next week."
The issue was stirred up this week after Ireland's European Commissioner for Innovation, Marie Geoghegan-Quinn finally surrendered to pressure over the two pensions she was claiming worth over €108,000 while she was receiving a salary worth €250,000 per annum.
(DW/BMcC)
Senators Terry Leyden and Ivor Callely became the latest politicians to forgo claiming their hefty state pensions for previous ministerial posts while simultaneously taking home a full wage.
Senator Leyden's pension was worth €21,000 last year.
There are a further five serving Fianna Fáil politicians who have yet to indicate whether they will give their pension back to the Exchequer or to charity including Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher, who has claimed he wants to avoid making a 'knee jerk' reaction.
This morning, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny accused Brian Cowen of abdicating all responsibility over the issue after the Taoiseach refused to accept the Fine Gael proposed legislation to immediately discontinue such payments.
Speaking this morning, Mr Kenny said: "Rather than deal with the issue head on, he hid behind threadbare legal arguments and refused to speak directly to his Fianna Fáil colleagues and ask them to give up the pension payment. It is this type of hands off, no can do attitude that has contributed over the years to the political and economic mess in which we now find ourselves as a country.
"The choice remains for Brian Cowen to deal with this issue on one of two fronts. Accept the Fine Gael legislation as we have been arguing for since last April or deal directly with the members of your own Parliamentary Party and secure their agreement not to accept the pension payment.
"If he continues to refuse to take up either option then the Taoiseach, his Fianna Fáil colleagues and his coalition partners in Government will face a Dáil vote on the issue next week."
The issue was stirred up this week after Ireland's European Commissioner for Innovation, Marie Geoghegan-Quinn finally surrendered to pressure over the two pensions she was claiming worth over €108,000 while she was receiving a salary worth €250,000 per annum.
(DW/BMcC)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 November 2016
Party's Call For Govt Action On Gender Pension Gap
Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have both called for government action on the gender pension gap. FF have tabled an amendment to the Social Welfare Bill which would see the eligibility criteria for the State pension reviewed to ensure that women who took time out of work to look after children or to care for a loved one, are not penalised.
Party's Call For Govt Action On Gender Pension Gap
Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have both called for government action on the gender pension gap. FF have tabled an amendment to the Social Welfare Bill which would see the eligibility criteria for the State pension reviewed to ensure that women who took time out of work to look after children or to care for a loved one, are not penalised.
29 April 2010
Liam Aylward Latest To Forgo Pension
Another serving member of Fianna Fail has surrendered his ministerial pension, which was being received alongside his full salary. Fianna Fáil MEP Liam Aylward announced this morning he would be the latest serving politician to give up his ministerial pension.
Liam Aylward Latest To Forgo Pension
Another serving member of Fianna Fail has surrendered his ministerial pension, which was being received alongside his full salary. Fianna Fáil MEP Liam Aylward announced this morning he would be the latest serving politician to give up his ministerial pension.
28 October 2015
FF Raise Concerns Over Ireland's Pension System
Fianna Fáil has raised concerns after the Melbourne Mercer Global Pensions Index (MMGPI) ranked Ireland's pension system 11th out of 25 countries for a second year running. The report also ranked the sustainability of the Irish pension system is ranked in just 20th place.
FF Raise Concerns Over Ireland's Pension System
Fianna Fáil has raised concerns after the Melbourne Mercer Global Pensions Index (MMGPI) ranked Ireland's pension system 11th out of 25 countries for a second year running. The report also ranked the sustainability of the Irish pension system is ranked in just 20th place.
04 April 2019
Fianna Fáil Raise Concerns Over Delays In Pension Increases
Some 78,000 pensioners are still waiting on a decision about their entitlement to an increase in the State Contributory Pension, according to Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Older People and TD for Waterford, Mary Butler. New figures released to Deputy Butler reveal that as of 28th March 2019, only 11,646 of 90,000 reviews have been completed.
Fianna Fáil Raise Concerns Over Delays In Pension Increases
Some 78,000 pensioners are still waiting on a decision about their entitlement to an increase in the State Contributory Pension, according to Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Older People and TD for Waterford, Mary Butler. New figures released to Deputy Butler reveal that as of 28th March 2019, only 11,646 of 90,000 reviews have been completed.
22 May 2013
Fianna Fáil Say Pension Bill Will Be 'Massive Disappointment'
The Social Welfare and Pensions Bill, being published today, will be a “massive disappointment”, Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea has said. The Spokesperson on Social Protection said: “The contents of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill will be massively disappointing for tens of thousands of pension scheme members in Ireland.
Fianna Fáil Say Pension Bill Will Be 'Massive Disappointment'
The Social Welfare and Pensions Bill, being published today, will be a “massive disappointment”, Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea has said. The Spokesperson on Social Protection said: “The contents of the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill will be massively disappointing for tens of thousands of pension scheme members in Ireland.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
