Shatter refuses to say if he will take €70k ‘golden goodbye’

Alan Shatter has refused to say if he will draw down €70,000 in ministerial severance payments — despite requests to do so by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Government ministers also refused to say yesterday if Mr Shatter should be forced to give up his right to the golden goodbye payment.

It has emerged that the Government delayed signing in legislation which was meant to end the practice of former ministers getting lump sum severance payments.