Ahern does not have to justify second secretary

BERTIE AHERN has submitted monthly expense claims for use of secretaries from employment agencies despite having a full-time secretary paid for by the state.

And the former taoiseach does not have to give any reason or justification when he calls on the services of a second secretarial assistant, which he has been doing to the maximum amountallowed since stepping down in May 2008.

The Department of the Taoiseach has confirmed it is reviewing the perk that entitles former taoisigh to the use of two secretaries for five years after retirement — with a maximum salary of €55,415 each.