Tánaiste defends use of state funds to top up opposition salaries

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has defended the payment of state funds to top up his salary whilst he was in opposition.

A €13m fund is used by political parties in opposition for day-to-day running costs such as media training and polls, according to a report today.

The Irish Independent report said Taoiseach Enda Kenny received a €50,000 salary boost while he was leader of the opposition, with Labour's Mr Gilmore and Joan Burton receiving a combined total of €22,000 in 2010.

The Tánaiste today said Labour can vouch for how it spent the money, defending the salary top-up as legitimate.

"The salary issue is a payment that is made in recognition of the additional duties and responsibilities which are attached to leadership of a political party in opposition," he said.

"It is only paid when the party is in opposition and there is nothing new in it.

"That has been the case for very many years."