Cowen doles out sweeteners to sacked ministers

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has given consolation prizes of almost €20,000 apiece to the three junior ministers he sacked last month.

Cork East TD Michael Ahern, Donegal South-West TD Pat “the Cope” Gallagher and Wexford TD John Browne were all appointed to chairs of Oireachtas committees yesterday. Each of these positions is worth an extra €19,058 a year on top of salary. All three receive approximately €101,000 a year in basic salary as TDs, meaning each will now earn €121,000 a year in total.

Mr Cowen had room to manoeuvre because he had appointed some of the existing committee chairs to junior ministries when he announced his reshuffle.