MARIE O'HALLORAN AND MICHAEL O'REGAN
Former Fianna Fáil minister Noel Treacy has said he will donate his pension to voluntary bodies.
The Government won a Dáil debate by a narrow 68 votes to 66 margin rejecting a Fine Gael motion demanding an end to ministerial pensions to serving politicians.
Mr Treacy told the Dáil he received a net pension of €167 a week. The Galway East TD said he could not afford to give up his pension but, in interests of solidarity, he would donate it to voluntary bodies.
Mr Treacy was the last remaining former minister in the Oireachtas who had not stated whether he would hold onto or forego his pension. MEP Pat "The Cope" Gallagher has yet to announce his decision.
Last night during the pension debate former minister Jim McDaid said he would give his pension to a “worthy cause”.
Mr McDaid had said he did not deserve a ministerial pension and would give it up if there was a rational debate on the issue.
Today during the debate there were accusations on both sides of “hypocrisy” and lack of leadership.
The Irish Times
