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Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Deputy Alan Shatter
Former minister
Will Alan Shatter accept his €70k severance payment?
The Deputy is entitled to the money as new legislation had not been signed in when he stepped down from his role.
HIS OFFICE IS remaining tight-lipped, but the question tonight is whether former Justice and Defence Minister Alan Shatter will accept his severance pay of more than €70,000.
On Saturday, we looked at how much Deputy Shatter’s pension and severance payments are worth.
He has served more than two years in office, so is entitled to the full rate of €70,282.
Shatter is also entitled to a pension worth €18,139 from just his Ministerial service.
What the Taoiseach thinks
A Government spokesperson told RTÉ today that everyone should adhere to the Government’s policy to end severance payments to former ministers – “even Alan”.
When Deputy Shatter resigned, the new Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Act of 2014 had not been commenced.
Section five of this amendment “provides for the abolition of severance payments to
holders of certain Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices upon cessation of Office”.
This means that Shatter was covered by the previous legislation, Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act 1992 – and so is entitled to the payment.
Read: How much are Alan Shatter’s pension and severance payments worth?>
