Lenihan: Pension issue is up to Geoghegan-Quinn

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has said it is up to EU Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn to decide what to do about her Irish pension.

Minister Lenihan said he cannot legally strip Geoghegan-Quinn of her Dáil and ministerial pensions worth over €100,000.

Minister Lenihan said today that the feelings of politicians here can't be seen to influence the Commissioner - but she has some thinking to do.

"It is a matter for herself, but having said that I think there is an onus on everyone who has a generous pension from the State to consider their options in this situation," Minister Lenihan said.

It follows calls from three Government ministers Dermot Ahern, Mary Hanafin and Eamon O'Cuiv - to

forego her Irish pension while she carries out her duties as an EU Commissioner.

Fianna Fáil Deputy Mary O'Rourke also believes the Commissioner should cancel her Irish pension.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen however also said yesterday that the matter was for Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn alone to consider.