Gilmore defends Coalition's actions on high wages in public sector

The Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore is defending the Coalition's record on tackling high salaries in the public service.

It emerged last night that a former top civil servant retired in July with a package worth more than €700,000, including a pension of €142,000 a year.

Dermot McCarthy was secretary general to the Government, and served as secretary general to three taoisigh.

The Labour leader said the pain that people are experiencing "must apply across the board", but he stopped short of saying Mr McCarthy should give back any of his payments.