Former taoisigh to get a €17,000 yearly increase on their pensions

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern suggested he would not be taking the increase. Picture: Eamonn Farrell

Former taoisigh are set to get a €17,000 yearly increase on their pensions as part of pay restoration measures agreed at Cabinet.

The Government has come under fire for restoring pay to over 4,000 of the country's highest-paid civil servants while refusing to pay student nurses.