Election losers got thousands in payouts

TDs who lost their seats in last year’s general election got payments amounting to more than twice the average industrial wage in their first year outside Leinster House.

Details of termination payments, which include lump sums and monthly payments, show former Fine Gael deputy Paul McGrath was paid €86,885 under the scheme that compensates Oireachtas members who find themselves suddenly out of work.

Mr McGrath retired at the last election and has since concentrated on charity work, mostly in developing countries, for which he does not get paid.