Former politician pension payouts cost taxpayer €20m

The taxpayer paid out close to €20m last year in pensions, lump sums, and other retirement benefits to former politicians.

The €19.67m bill was inflated by large golden handshakes for TDs and senators who retired or lost their seats in the last general election.

Thirteen politicians received more than €200,000 last year, their payments boosted by generous retirement lump sums available from the Oireachtas.