Politicians’ hardship pleas are rejected

FIVE former politicians experiencing “considerable hardship” have had pleas to allow them claim lucrative pension entitlements rejected by the Department of Finance.

The five TDs and senators, who served prior to 1983, were not elected for the eight years needed to qualify for an Oireachtas pension at the time.

However, there was a sustained lobbying effort by the Irish Parliamentary [Former Members] Society (IPS) for them to be granted a dispensation.