More politicians row in on pension debate

There was further pressure today on Ireland's EU commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn to give up her Irish ministerial pension of €108,000.

Green Party leader John Gormley has joined a number of his Fianna Fáil colleagues in government in calling on the commissioner to hand back her pension while she carries out EU duties.

But he has also called on 16 other members of the Dáil who collect double payments to give them back too.

Minister Gormley said there is a need for everyone concerned to show leadership.

"It does send a signal to people who are having to make their own particular cutbacks all over this country," he said.

Minister Gormley said it would be better if Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn did decide "to do the right thing".

Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin meanwhile said people in public life can't - and shouldn't - be taking a pension when they are taking a salary.

Minister Martin said Commissioner Geoghan-Quinn should now reflect on her ministerial pension, because it represents a practice from "a different era".

He stopped short of calling on the EU Commissioner to hand back the money , but made it clear he feels pensions are for when people retire.

"As far as I am concerned… you can't and shouldn't be taking a pension when you are taking a salary (in public life)," he said.

Communications Minister Eamon Ryan said everyone in politics now has an opportunity to show leadership and set an example.

He declined to call on Commissioner Geoghan-Quinn to hand back her pension, but under pressure from reporters, he admitted that is what he would do.

Minister for Enterprise Trade and Innovation Batt O'Keeffe said it's a matter for Commissioner Geoghan-Quinn herself.