Quinn's pension

[liamfoley]

RTE news reports that Ruairi Quinn is "waiting for legislation" before he gives up his ministerial pension while he remains in the Dail. Ministerial pensions to be cut - The Irish Times - Tue, Jun 16, 2009, RTÉ player: See What You're Missing
Seriously, is this true? If so Quinn hardly retains credibility, can some one confirm?

[FutureChiefJustice]

Quinn said before that he doesn't believe in voluntarism in this regard and that he will accept any changes in this regard, when ever the government has the cajones to do something about it.

[TheLastPaddy]

RTE news reports that Ruairi Quinn is "waiting for legislation" before he gives up his ministerial pension while he remains in the Dail. Ministerial pensions to be cut - The Irish Times - Tue, Jun 16, 2009, RTÉ player: See What You're Missing
Seriously, is this true? If so Quinn hardly retains credibility, can some one confirm?

Well if it is true one could hardly expect one of our great secularizing socialists, with the mandatory red tie of course, to get off the gravy train anytime soon. I'll give him this though he did make a good Minister of Finance and he seems to know how to hang onto money in difficult times.

[laidback]

Not exactly unexpected that he'll hang on until its taken away from him given that he claimed and was granted the artists tax exemption for his memoirs not exactly a best seller causing him tax problems. And he comes from a wealthy family.

When OPW Minister he said to a friend of mine who was a senior official, 'i'm a smoked salmon socialist you know.'

The difference between what the current rules allow and what is appropriate, moral and ethical is not something he wants to understand.

[bm42]

I think he is trying to make the point that legislative change is needed and it was a cop out by the government to try and get the voluntary return of pensions.

[liamfoley]

If anyone asked me who do I think would refuse to give up their pension Quinn's name would not have been among them, disappointed.

[ffireland]

and then he has the cheek to criticise the government, yet wont take a cut for the country. Typical of Labour - all crap

[joemomma]

I think he is trying to make the point that legislative change is needed and it was a cop out by the government to try and get the voluntary return of pensions.

Every thousand euro he accepts makes the point more forcefully.

Surely he'd agree that if it could be done by agreement with recipients it would be better not to waste Dáil time on it?

[stanley]

If anyone asked me who do I think would refuse to give up their pension Quinn's name would not have been among them, disappointed.

Would rather think Quinn knows the money grabbing busturds in FF will never give up the money and by publicising the fact he would like to see legislation in this regard he is forcing Biffo/Lenny's hand, no word from Bertie yet - eh.

[L.O. Dublin S.C.]

and then he has the cheek to criticise the government, yet wont take a cut for the country. Typical of Labour - all crap

You must be having a laugh. No, seriously, you must be joking. So, Haughey's multiple dealings with Ben Dunne and Mahmoud Fustok don't register, Bertie's underhanded ways, which set the tone for the Celtic Tiger, are still yet unknown but we would safely say it won't make him look great, you don't mention. You don't seem phased by the actions of these two former FF leaders and former Taosigh but when Quinn decides to wait on legislation on his €44,171, you come out all guns blazing. I don't agree with Quinn on this but at least he doesn't have his own private island or claims not to have a bank account.

This is the actual quote in the IT article:

The largest pension, believed to be in the region of €116,000, is paid to former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Others who are entitled to large pensions include Mary O’Rourke (FF), €53,622; Ruairí Quinn (Labour), €44,171; and Michael Woods (FF), €35,355.

In addition to TDs and Senators, five MEPs are entitled to ministerial pensions. A further three former junior ministers – Tom Kitt, Michael Ahern and John Browne — who were dropped by Brian Cowen when he became Taoiseach in May 2008 have received severance payments but have yet to be paid ministerial pensions.

Of the top four, three are FF'ers. Bertie Ahern was never honest about his actions, public or private, and Michael Woods tried to let the religious orders of the hook during his time as a minister.

Also, you know that the "patriotic action" term, it is to be used for those whom actually fought for the country and not those who decide to shop in the Republic.