Politicians’ pay - Public needs same pension package

SHOULD Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his cohort of ministers not be returned to government at the next election, they will collectively have the comfort of €20 million to cushion their disappointment.

That sum is what is available to them by way of pensions for life, apart from a generous severance of 75% of their ministerial salaries from day one of being ousted.

They will not have to take Finance Minister Brian Cowen’s advice about incentives available for holders of SSIAs to invest in pensions.