There’s further pressure on Ireland’s EU commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn to give up her Irish ministerial pension of €108,000.
The Green Party leader John Gormley has joined a number of his Fianna Fail colleagues in calling on the commissioner to hand back her pension while she carries out EU duties.
But he’s also called on 16 other members of the Dail, who collect double payments, to give them back too.
John Gormley said there’s a need for everyone concerned to show leadership.
“It does send a signal to people who are having to make their won particular cutbacks all over this country” he said.
“It is a problem I think – it would be better if she did decide to do that and do the right thing”.
“And not only Maire Geoghegan Quinn – there are people in the Dail as you know who are in receipt of pensions as well, I think about 16 of them”.
“It’s up to the individuals in question to do the right thing and consider giving back that money” he added.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Brian Lenihan says there’s an onus on everyone enjoying a generous state pension to consider their options.
He’s echoed the Taoiseach’s sentiments by saying it’s up to Maire Geoghegan Quinn to decide, but there is a bigger picture to consider as well.
“Her appointment doesn’t derive from the Irish people – she’s approved and her appointment was approved after a very successful hearing at the European Parliament” he said.
“In fact as I understand it, she took a declaration on her appointment not to be influenced so I really think it is a matter for herself”.
“But having said that, I think there’s an onus on everyone who has a generous pension from the State to consider their options in this situation” he added.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs says people in public life can’t – and shouldn’t – be taking a pension when they’re taking a salary.
Micheal Martin says Maire Geoghan Quinn should now reflect on her Ministerial pension – because it represents a practice from “a different era”.
He stopped short of calling on the EU Commissioner to hand back the money – but made it clear he feels pensions are for when people retire.
“Well, as far as I’m concerned, and…already we have legislated for this, that you can’t and shouldn’t be taking a pension when you’re taking a salary in pubic life now” he said.
Another cabinet minister – Eamonn Ryan – says everyone in politics now has an opportunity to show leadership and set an example.
He also declined to call on Maire Geoghan Quinn to hand back her pension – but under pressure from reporters, he admitted that is what he would do.
“I’m giving a straight answer that I think we in politics have to show real leadership and recognise we are in a difficult financial situation and set an example” he said.
“I hope all people in politics – in our party and in other parties – do that”.
When asked if he would hand the pension back, the Minister replied “Yes I would”.
The Minister for Enterprise Trade and Innovation – Batt O’Keeffe – says it’s a matter for Maire Geoghan Quinn.
“In the case of Maire Geoghan-Quinn, everybody in politics has taken a cut in their salaries or in their pensions – and it’s a matter of judgement for Marie at this stage in relation to what she should do” he added.
