The shame of the shameless

national | anti-capitalism | other press Tuesday December 28, 2010 16:56 by nmn - newsmedia

Today Michael Noonan TD, Fine Gael Spokesman on Finance, released a press statement that his ministerial pension was being paid in full to two "well known charities".

The statement said:

"I wish to state that all amounts payable to me as Ministerial pension, are paid directly into a dedicated bank account. The full amount of the pension is paid out by way of standing order, each month, to two well known charities. This arrangement has been in place since Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny TD requested that former Fine Gael Ministers, in receipt of Ministerial pension, would either assign the pension to the Exchequer or donate it to charity. The bank account records will verify the veracity of this statement."

Very good Mr Noonan. What he seems to fail to grasp, or doesn't even want to see, is that he can afford to do such a magnanimous thing. He can afford to live on his ministerial salary without the need for a ministerial pension.

Try telling that to the ordinary man and woman, Mr Noonan.