McDaid refuses to surrender pension, saying: 'I have principles'

Fianna Fáil's Jim McDaid is refusing the hand over his ministerial pension - saying that it is a matter of principle.

He is one of five former Fianna Fáil Ministers who have yet to rescind the double payment while in receipt of Dáil, Senate or MEP salaries.

The Donegal North East TD said the furore over the pensions issue was a media-driven "witchhunt" which has seen a week of "whipping TDs into place".