Opposition parties say that revelations of a €35,000 pay rise for a government advisor show the Taoiseach Enda Kenny has "one rule for the Government and another for the people of Ireland".
The Mail on Sunday revealed yesterday that Mr Kenny intervened to overrule a Department of Finance pay cap for a former Fine Gael press officer who now works as a special advisor to Minister Richard Bruton.
Ciaran Conlon's wage was ultimately raised from €92,000 to €127,000, despite objections by the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure, Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin.
Last night Mr Kenny warned the people of Ireland that today's Budget would contain difficult cuts and tax rises to help the fragile economy to recover.
Today, Fianna Fáil's Dara Colleary said revelations about the pay to government advisors shows that the Taoiseach has two different standards.
"It's absolutely hypocritical to put down a guideline and make a big song and dance about doing it but then you breach it randomly and at will.
"I can’t understand why the Taoiseach felt the need to get involved."