RSS
News


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

By
CATHAL DERVAN,
IrishCentral Staff Writer
Published Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 8:10 AM
Updated Wednesday, December 7, 2011, 11:11 AM

print this article Print
email this articleE-mail
comment on article 10 Comments
See more: Bertie Ahern  

Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen
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.

-------------------

Read more: 

More news from Ireland on IrishCentral

Sinead O’Connor to marry husband No. 4 in Las Vegas

Irish frozen out of a new green card bill in Congress

-------------------

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.

​
See more: Bertie Ahern , Enda Kenny , Irish economy
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail


10 Comments

See all comments

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

Report abuse

BARNEYKX | Dec 09, 2011, 02:04 PM EST
And about time to him and his cohorts have fleeced the country for years

Report abuse

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.

Report abuse

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.

Report abuse

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

Report abuse

bunkerisland | Dec 07, 2011, 06:24 PM EST
Bertie appears just a bit greedy. Is their a secretary in the background getting any compensation?

Report abuse

greensod | Dec 07, 2011, 02:55 PM EST
A few steps in the right direction,many more miles to go.

Report abuse

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.

Report abuse

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.

Report abuse

newnation | Dec 07, 2011, 10:44 AM EST
not enough, cut them off completely, why reward anyone for being a thief?

Report abuse

 


IrishCentral logo
"Like" IrishCentral
IrishCentral Mobile QR code


Connect to IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or Sign-Up directly

Already Registered? Sign-In!

Welcome to IrishCentral!
Please provide the following information in order to create your account

Username:
E-Mail Address:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy


Already Registered? Sign-In!
Forgot my password

Welcome to IrishCentral!
All we need is the following information and you will be part of the #1 Irish community in the US

E-Mail Address:
First select a unique username:
Username:
Now choose a password:
Password:
Confirm Password:
I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Thank you!

Just one more step and you will be part of the largest Irish community in America! Tell us a little more about you to start enjoying all the features of IrishCentral.

Additional Information:

First Name:
Last Name:
Date of Birth:
Zip:
Gender: Male  Female 
Country:
Degree of Irishness:
Household Income:
Level of Education:

Subscribe to our newsletters:

The Best of IrishCentral - Daily Newsletter
Special Offers from our sponsors

or
Skip

You can edit your information at any time, just go to "my account" when you're logged in.

Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or sign-in directly

E-Mail:
Password:
 Remember me Forgot my password
Not a member? Register Now!
submit to reddit
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail