The Government plans special legislation to cut the pensions of the highest-paid former public servants by some 5 per cent.

Although the move is part of a general cut in all public pensions above €32,500, the greatest reductions will be imposed on senior figures who held high public office and those who led State and other public institutions.

Those affected by the measure include former taoisigh Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen, John Bruton and Albert Reynolds and many members of the previous government.

Mr Ahern and Mr Cowen will see their pensions cut to €142,655 from €150,163 under the move; Mr Reynolds’s pension will drop to €141,513 from €148,961;and Mr Bruton’s pension will fall to €134,728 from €141,819.

How will they get by?

Former top public servants face 5% pension cut (Arthur Beesley, Martin Wall, Pamela Duncan, Irish Times)

(Laura Hutton, Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland)