A Labour minister says the pensions received by some former politicians are 'obscene'.
Ex-politicians are to receive increases to their six figure pensions as part of a side deal struck during the negotiations that preceded the Landsdowne Road Agreement.
Former Ministers like Brian Cowen, Bertie Ahern and Mary Harney will receive top-ups of €1,680 over the next three years.
The pension of Brian Cowen is set to rise to almost €136,000 a year, with Mr Ahern set to receive a similar amount.
The Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin says the Government could face a court challenge if it excludes former ministers from pension top-ups as the increases are tied into legislation on public sector pay.
Renua party leader, Lucinda Creighton, said taxpayers will find the increases particularly difficult after a week where the Banking Inquiry showed the 'serial ineptitude of our leaders'.
Equality Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin says some of these pensions are obscene and he and his party colleagues will be brining the issue up with Brendan Howlin later this week:
