Former TD: Pension bid fell foul of downturn

FORMER Cork TD Barry Cogan has said the downturn in the economy scuppered any chance five retired politicians had of qualifying for its lucrative pension scheme.

The Carrigaline-based former Fianna Fáil deputy and county councillor confirmed he was among five former deputies and senators at the centre of lobbying the Department of Finance to relax the qualification rules.

All five had been elected as either deputies or senators prior to 1983 but did not stay for the eight years required at the time to qualify for the pension.