The front pages
Such controversy the issue of pensions has caused so far this week – and again the issue dominates this morning’s headlines as we flick through the pages.
This time however the issue is really hotting up. Taoiseach Brian Cowen last night refused to command his entire party to give up their payments while 16 others from both Fine Gael and Labour said good luck to their entitlements.
To the surprise of many, even “the most cunning of them all†Bertie Ahern has given up his pension which was worth €98,000 last year. Former ceann comhairle Rory O’Hanlon wasn’t long following Bertie’s lead. However, pressure is growing on Brian Cowen and those who didn’t give theirs up following Máire Geoghegan-Quinn’s surrender on Monday. The list of shame is made up of MEP’s Pat the Cope Gallagher and Liam Alyward; Senator Terry Leyden and TD’s Jim McDaid and Noel Treacy.
“Bertie Ahern and 15 others give up their ministerial pensions†reads the Irish Times headline. The Indo follows suit with “FF rebels defy Cowen in pension showdown†and “Cowen refuses to act on pensions scandal†declares the Examiner.
Enda Kenny is pulling the punches now too while he can. “My challenge to the Taoiseach is to accept the Fine Gael bill and thereby put an end to this practice for once and for all, for the interests of all concerned.â€
It’s frustrating, its head-melting, its borderline unbelievable, and it’s the story that has engulfed the nation.
