Taoiseach silent on pension claims

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has refused to be drawn on claims that his taxpayer-funded pension would cost €3.2m in the private sector.

Research suggests pension entitlements for the 15 Cabinet members at the scheduled end of the present Dáil in 2016 would amount to €36.3m if purchased on the open market.

By 2016, Mr Kenny will be entitled to a yearly pension of €100,000, and would also be eligible for a “golden goodbye” pay-off of €139,008 — taking his full pension entitlement to €3,429,728.