TDs escape cuts while Cabinet still handsomely paid

THE Taoiseach and ministers will remain handsomely paid even after the pay cuts in the budget. TDs, however, will not suffer any reduction.

Mr Cowen is taking a pay cut of about €14,000, which will see his salary fall from €228,466 to roughly €214,000.

It means the Taoiseach will continue to be better paid than British prime minister David Cameron, although Mr Cowen has led Ireland into an EU-IMF bailout.