The country’s tacit policy of rewarding failure among the elite appears to be as alive as ever.
The likes of Brian Cowen and Bertie Ahern are in line to enjoy a substantial increase to their already juicy pension pots as a result of a “side deal” to the Landsdowne Road agreement on pay for the pubic sector.
The two former Taoisigh, whose pension is around €134,000, will receive a €1,600 boost a year. A number of other former ministers and Taoisigh who are on pensions of above €100,000 will also enjoy a similar top-up.
These news come in a week when Brian Cowen told the Banking Inquiry Committee that “the primary responsibility of the crisis rests with the banks themselves”, yet, he added that he “takes full and complete responsibility for his role in and response to the economic crisis.”
With no accountability to be spoken about, such words sound hollow and banal indeed.