Kenny expects Shatter to forego lump sum entitlement
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that he expects former justice minister Alan Shatter to comply with new laws in relation to his severance pay.
Under previous conditions in relation to ministerial salaries the Dublin South TD is entitled to a lump sum of over €70,000 following the resignation of his portfolio.
But Mr Kenny says the former justice minister was part of Government when new laws were drafted to scrap the payments.
The legislation was only signed by the Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin after Mr Shatter's resignation.
Speaking to Midwest Radio, Mr Kenny said that while he can't force Alan Shatter to waive his right to the payment, he still expects him to do so.
"The former minister was obviously at the cabinet table when we approved this," he said.
"The legislation was drafted, was approved by Cabinet, was put through the Dáil… (it) wasn't actually signed by the minister (but) is signed now.
"I would expect that everybody would adhere to that.
"The intent, and the principle, and the law, was to eliminate severance pay for all ministers. While I can't force any individual, I do hope that the former Minister for Justice will comply with that intent."
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Leo Varadkar said it would "make sense" if former minister Shatter waived the severance payment.
He says he doesn't want to kick his former cabinet colleague when he's down.
"That's up to him but it was legislation passed by the Dáil, supported by Deputy Shatter and voted for by him.
"I think it would make sense if he did that."
