Oireachtas members who are convicted by the courts of fraudulent activities while in office should have their State pensions suspended, Senator Jim Higgins of Fine Gael has stated.
"It is patently wrong that people who have been elected to office, and who engage in fraudulent activities while in office, should continue to draw hefty State pensions at the taxpayers' expense for the rest of their lives," he said.
He added: "While the courts are free to impose financial sanctions, including custodial sentences, it is a studied insult to the public that such people who have blatantly abused their public positions should continue to receive index-linked monies from the State." He said he would be raising the issue in the Seanad and asking that the Government should consider introducing legislation to give effect to his proposal.