Ministerial pensions - Government not leading by example

“Fairness must be the cornerstone of all our efforts to achieve economic renewal,” Finance Minister Brian Lenihan said on introducing the emergency budget in April.

“Those who have most must give most. However, before we ask anyone else to give, we in this House and in the Government must examine our own costs.”

“We must lead by example,” the minister continued before going on to announce the ministerial pensions being paid to members of the Oireachtas would be discontinued.