TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen signalled that the Government will seek a reduction in ministerial pensions paid to serving Oireachtas members.

He said that the Government had already outlined that it intended suspending the payment of the pensions in the next Oireachtas.

“Having regard to the existing legal entitlements, the Government will engage in a consultation process with a view to introducing a proportionate reduction in the rate of pension payable to former ministers sitting in the current Oireachtas, having regard to the pressure on the public purse and the need for public representatives to set an example,” he added.

He said the increments paid to TDs were frozen from Budget day.

“In the next Oireachtas, the question of not going ahead with them in the future will be dealt with in legislation, with a view to ensuring that the pensionability aspect of those increments is taken into account,” he said.