Ministerial pensions should spark outrage

Press Release on Ministerial Pensions

Workers’ Party Councillor Ted Tynan said that the revelation that former government ministers had received over €4 million in pensions last year while some of them continue to receive other payments from the state should spark public outrage, especially from those who are suffering the brunt of cutbacks.

Cllr. Tynan said that despite holding a referendum on judges pay last year the state was continuing to pay enormous sums of money to former ministers and other office holders, many of whom are already incredibly wealthy. 

“On a daily basis”, said Cllr Tynan,  “I am contacted by citizens who are suffering real hardship and misery as a result of cutbacks.  One of the most glaring examples is the recent cut in the hours of Home Helps.  This is a heartless decision which seriously erodes the quality of life of those dependent on the Home Help service. News of these ministerial pensions can only add insult to their injury”.

Cllr. Tynan said that with a further €1 billion to be paid out to AIB bondholders next Monday it was an utter affront to the Irish people that many of those who presided over the collapse of the economy and the banking bailout are still receiving golden handshakes and bloated pensions. 

“In addition to the obscene payments to the likes of Bertie Ahern and Mary Harney we also have huge sums of money being paid out to a number of extremely wealthy former ministers such as Michael McDowell and John Bruton.  Worst of all we have a convicted tax evader Ray Burke receiving a ministerial pension of over €1,000 a week.   It is time to call a halt to this squalid circus.”, said Cllr. Tynan.

Hogan cravenly distances himself from actions of councils

Phil Hogan says that he did not ask local authorities to withhold student grant applications. The Minister, even though he supports the withholding of grants, is now cravenly trying to distance himself from this debacle because he knows it's a public relations nightmare. I am reminded of our campaign against services charges (double taxation) back in the 90s, when the government of the time tried to implement the same policy of blackmail against the sons and daughters of families applying for student grants. Padraig Flynn was the Minister for Environment and Local Government. Under the leadership of the late Paddy Mulcahy, a school teacher, we resisted their campaign of terror waged against families. Are they going back down the road jailing people I wonder?

Labour suggest it's 'reasonable' to deny student grants

It was announced today that Mary McAlesse was appointed Chair of a High Level EU Group for Higher Education. McAleese was quoted as saying that her goal is to 'ensure that every student, regardless of where they live or study in Europe, will benefit from quality teaching'. Nice sentiment. The former President is, presumably, as outraged as I am at the news that some local authorities are threatening to deny students access to third level education by withholding their grants if their parents have not paid the Household Charge. It is entirely appalling that a denial of education is being used to squeeze the poor, and the Minister of Education Ruari Quinn should be ashamed of himself for suggesting that such behaviour is 'reasonable'. The Labour Party clearly feel it's 'reasonable' to deny the children of poor families an education in order to bail out bondholders and banks. It's an utter lie to suggest that the money from the Household Charge is going to local services, this money is only going to fill the gap created by cuts.