TD calls on President to repay €120k UCG pension
Mr Higgins A TD last night called for Michael D Higgins to pay back a college pension he receives every year.
The President was slammed for taking the extra public cash – worth €120,000 – while on an annual salary of just under €250,000 at the Aras.
Sinn Fein Public Accounts Committee member David Cullinane said Mr Higgins needs to “reflect on his decision” to accept the annual €19,000.
A spokesman for the President told the Irish Mirror he has handed back his €37,000 worth of political pensions to the taxpayer every year since his election in 2011.
But he has not given back any of the teaching pension from his time at UCG – now NUI – which he has received from 2012.
Mr Higgins does not legally have to hand this money back.
However, Mr Cullinane said it was “against the spirit” of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2012.
He added: “No politician should be availing of a loophole to avail of a pension where they’re already serving in a position where they are already getting a very generous salary. The President should reflect on that.
“The spirit of the Act should be implemented. Of all people, the President should do that.”