Brian Cowen says he has ‘no problem’ giving up pension rise

Former taoiseach Brian Cowen has said legislation should be changed to ensure former senior politicians do not get pension increases.

Mr Cowen told The Irish Times he would have "no problem" if changes proposed by Fianna Fáil were adopted by the Coalition.

Michael McGrath, Fianna Fáil’s finance spokesman, has suggested using existing legislation to prevent former politicians getting the pension increases.

Mr Cowen said: “Personally, I have no problem with our spokesman’s suggestion.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said former senior politicians in receipt of ministerial pensions should decline an increase.

He did not specify who exactly he was speaking about when he said a “small number” of people should “refuse the increase that is coming to you”.

His suggestion that former ministers decline the increase did not assuage the concerns of some Fine Gael backbenchers who raised the issue at a parliamentary party meeting this week."It doesn't go far enough," said one deputy.

Speaking during a visit to Milan, Mr Kenny said the pension increases should be declined because of the “fragile” state of the economy.

“I would say to the small number involved here. They’re former politicians.

“We’re in a fragile position economically. I would say to them: refuse the increase that is coming back.”

At the parliamentary party meeting, a group of Fine Gael TDs raised concerns about increases in ministerial pensions to be given to former office-holders, including Bertie Ahern and Mr Cowen.

Pay deal

The two will be among a number to benefit from the changes which will take effect because of a provision in the new public sector pay and pensions deals struck by Minister for Public Expenditure

Brendan Howlin

with trade unions.

Cork South Central's Jerry Buttimer described the increases as "gross".

He was supported by Paul Connaughton of Galway East, Anthony Lawlor of Kildare North, Alan Farrell of Dublin North, Brendan Griffin of Kerry South and Gabrielle McFadden of Longford-Westmeath at the party meeting.

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan yesterday also called on former ministers to hand back the pension increases.