THE State is still paying pensions to two civil servants who took early retirement when the British administration was replaced by the new State, the Dail Committee of Public Accounts heard yesterday.
The issue arose during a discussion on pensions when the Secretary of the Department of Finance, Mr Patrick Mullarkey, was asked about an item on the agenda concerning the repayment by the British government of sums paid on its behalf under the Treaty of December, 1921.
Mr Mullarkey said civil servants who had chosen to leave with the withdrawal of the British administration were offered a pension by the new State. Under an agreement the State's contribution to these pensions was repaid by Britain. He said it appeared that two former members of the British administration here were still in receipt of pensions.
Mr Des O'Malley, who queried the payment of £4,245 from Britain, commented "They would now be 105, these civil servants who retired rather than continue [working]." Mr Mullarkey confirmed there were two serving recipients.
The Committee later heard that a former Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr P.L. McDonnell received a pension and lump sum payment of £114,252.
The Dublin Labour TD, Mr Tommy Broughan, said pension payments to entired judges were "astronomical compared to those paid to politicians who had held the highest offices of State.
Mr Mullarkey said both judge's pension payments included substantial one off lump sums on retirement.