Cowen paid €310k after quitting as taoiseach

Brian Cowen was paid more than €310,000 after stepping down as taoiseach last year.

The full picture has emerged of the total sums paid in pensions and golden handshakes to all TDs who retired or lost their seat in last year’s general election — with former Fianna Fáil ministers among the biggest winners.

According to the Department of Finance figures released yesterday, Mr Cowen was paid a ministerial pension of €79,738.97 in 2011.