Government’s tone-deaf streak continues

With ministerial compensation already an issue after the latest pay review, the latest irritant arrives: a special section inserted into a bill (see below) by Brian Cowen last week to allow former minister Michael Woods TD to retroactively recover pension money for which he had forgotten to apply within the required period.  Two quick defences of Woods can be offered: it’s money to which he was entitled, and there may be a good reason why he didn’t know the rules.  BUT: €75,000 is a lot of money to forget about, and who else gets special legislative provision when they fail to comply with the rules, even when they have a good story explaining why?  How long before someone with a tale of money lost due to inaction (e.g. in one of the special compensation schemes) comes forward?  That Woods was Minister for Health, given its role as the hot-button ministry (until Dempsey got to transport) won’t help matters.

For the curious, it’s Section 16 on page 18 of this bill as passed by the Dail, the Markets In Financial Instruments And Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007.