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.