FF in bizarre defence of Taoiseach pay hike

FIANNA FÁIL yesterday launched a bizarre defence of the Taoiseach’s extraordinary salary by claiming that 13,000 people out of a workforce of nearly two million earn more money than he does.

Martin Mansergh, the Tipperary South TD and former special adviser on Northern Ireland to the Taoiseach, yesterday said that 12,000-13,000 people would be better paid than Bertie Ahern in 2009 when his earnings rise to more than €310,000.

Figures obtained by Dr Mansergh from the Department of Finance show that a minuscule number of taxpayers, 9,680, earned more than €300,000 in 2006.