Former Taoiseach Brian Cowen says he would have no problem giving up a pension raise he's due under legislation on public sector pay.

Mr Cowen, along with his predecessor Bertie Ahern, are among those eligible for top ups over the next three years, as part of a side deal struck during negotiations ahead of the Landsdowne Road Agreement.

Both the Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Taoiseach Enda Kenny have said a small number of former politicians should consider forgoing the increase.

While Fianna Fáil's finance spokesperson Michael McGrath has suggested that current legislation could be used to block former senior politicians from getting the pension increases.

Speaking to the Irish Times, Brian Cowen said he would have no problem with that suggestion.