Cowen and ministers at odds on Geoghegan-Quinn pension

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has refused to call on EU Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn to forego her lucrative ministerial and TD pensions – even though several of his ministers have done so.

Three separate ministers and the Government chief whip have all suggested that Ms Geoghegan-Quinn, who earns circa €243,000 as EU Commissioner, should consider foregoing her pensions, which combined are worth an estimated €107,000 a year.

Mr Cowen failed to do likewise yesterday, indicating it was Ms Geoghegan-Quinn’s business. Mr Cowen said the Government had already tackled the issue of sitting TDs who claim ministerial pensions, but refused to comment on the commissioner’s case.

Five times he was given the opportunity to suggest the commissioner should forego the pensions until her retirement – and five times he refused to do so.

Mr Cowen was talking to reporters just minutes after he delivered a speech to the annual Fianna Fáil 1916 commemoration at Arbour Hill, Dublin, in which he warned public servants could face job cuts if they didn’t sign up to the current pay deal on offer from the Government.

In contrast to his reluctance to place pressure on Ms Geoghegan-Quinn, a number of Government ministers had no hesitation in suggesting the commissioner should forego the pensions.

“I think generally people who continue to be in public life have to accept that there has to be some sacrifices, particularly in the context of having pensions,” Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said at the same event.

Also at Arbour Hill, Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin said: “Insofar as she is a representative nominated by Ireland in Europe, at a time when she’s earning a quarter of a million euro, if she felt that she could do without it, I think it would be a good gesture.”