The Taoiseach’s again refused to directly call on Máire Geoghegan Quinn to hand back her Irish pension.

Pressure’s continuing to mount on Ireland’s EU Commnissioner not to draw the €108,000 a year while she’s paid the Commission salary of nearly €240,000.

Eight Cabinet Minister’s have effectively suggested Mrs Geghegan Quinn do the right thing.

Speaking in Dublin, Brian Cowen refused to go that far, saying it was a matter for the Innovation Commissioner.

“There’s no substantive difference to be honest; but the situation is that it is a matter for individual pensioners themselves to decide what they want to do in the present circumstances” he said.

“That’s my position yesterday, it was outlined by the Minister for Finance this morning – and that’s where it’s at” he added.

However, more than half of cabinet members have now called on Máire Geoghegan Quinn to consider whether she should hand back her Ministerial pension.

Green Party chairman Dan Boyle told reporters in Cork that he believes the issue should be resolved by changing the law – if necessary.

“If it isn’t done by means of persuasion, it should be considered by way of legislation” he said.

“If there’s difficulty in terms of legislation, we should look at any constitutional difficulties that exist; I think there’s a problem here, and there’s a problem in terms of judges pay”.

“There’s a need for a wider debate that would be solved I think in a constitutional referendum”.

When asked if he believes the Commissioner should give up her pension, he replied “I think she should; I think at 240,000 she has more than enough already”.