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Home Page > News > Bertie Ahern told to pay his own phone bills as Enda Kenny cuts off privileges

Bertie Ahern told to pay his own phone bills as Enda Kenny cuts off privileges

Budget cuts allowances paid to former government leaders

CATHAL DERVAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 8:10 AM

Updated Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 11:11 AM

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Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen

Photo by Google Images

The Irish taxpayer has finally enjoyed revenge on former Prime Minister Bertie Ahern – and taken his free mobile phone away.

Under new legislation announced in Tuesday’s Budget, all former Irish government leaders have lost the right to free phones.

They will also lose payment for secretarial assistance and the right to use VIP airport facilities under new measures announced by current PM Enda Kenny.

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Ahern has made the most of his privileges as a former Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and claimed over half the $6,000 paid on mobile phone bills of former PMs already this year.

Kenny has vowed to cut the free phone, computer equipment and staff allowance enjoyed by the likes of Ahern, Albert Reynolds, Brian Cower and John Bruton within weeks.

Secretarial services for the former government leaders cost the Irish state almost $250,000 for the first eight months of 2011.

Ahern alone claimed $160,000 for secretarial support in 2009, $150,000 in 2010 and close to $100,000 from January to August this year.

Nster.com

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10 Comments

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BARNEYKX | Mar 24, 2012, 06:50 PM EDT

I hope this is only a start thier cars and drivers as well as the scandalous pensions should be at least halved

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BARNEYKX | Dec 09, 2011, 02:04 PM EST

And about time to him and his cohorts have fleeced the country for years

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gobdawpaddy | Dec 09, 2011, 06:04 AM EST

jackinny, I am not doubting your story, but I must say that if your Gold Circle lounge story is correct that was very out of character for Mrs. Spring. Met that lady several times during the period when her husband was Tanaiste and she was never demanding, always polite.

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gobdawpaddy | Dec 08, 2011, 06:32 AM EST

There are still some gombeen gobshites in Ireland that believe BBertie wuz de gratest teeshack ever and we wudint be in dis mess if he wuz still dere. While I love them, the Irish are not the sharpest knives in the drawer. Of course dem Laymun brudders are to blame fur it all.

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jackinny | Dec 08, 2011, 03:59 AM EST

There was a joke I heard years ago-I don't know whose Presidential term it refered to-"President for a day merc w/driver for life" As for VIP facilities-I was in the Gold Circle Lounge- Aer Lingus's VIP club Jan '94 during a Dubin Airport weather closing while at the front desk I heard a supervisor tell the staff "The Tanasiste's(D.Spring) wife is on her way and SHE IS NOT HAPPY" Needless to say no one received attention from an already harrowed staff until Lady Spring was satisfied. The reality is Kenny is probably just going to deny them the use of the beautiful official dignataries arr/dep bldg so they will be stuck w/the back-of-the-plane masses in the terminal

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bunkerisland | Dec 07, 2011, 06:24 PM EST

Bertie appears just a bit greedy. Is their a secretary in the background getting any compensation?

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greensod | Dec 07, 2011, 02:55 PM EST

A few steps in the right direction,many more miles to go.

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LoyalCitizen | Dec 07, 2011, 02:04 PM EST

If Ireland gets a court system that works he could be stripped of everything and hung by the neck until dead......As this traitor has been leaving Social Welfare Recipients to starve then it might be up to the people to be loyal and deal with him and his cronies......You cannot face a charge for being loyal.

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howareya | Dec 07, 2011, 11:38 AM EST

That's what needs to be done...start the cuts at the top. Even with the current TD's and politicos! No special treatment. Pay for your own just like the rest of the people.

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newnation | Dec 07, 2011, 10:44 AM EST

not enough, cut them off completely, why reward anyone for being a thief?

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