U-turn over salary rise for Ahern

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A controversial pay rise for Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and his ministers has been put back for a year.

Mr Ahern said it was a response to the Republic of Ireland's economic slowdown, but critics said public pressure forced the government's hand.

The first instalment of the pay rise will now be paid in September 2008 with other phases put back to 2009 and 2010.

However, Enda Kenny of the opposition Fine Gael said the move was a publicity stunt and a "complete sham".

"It is a veneer and pure hypocrisy from a government that is wedded to the taoiseach's philosophy of getting into power and staying in power," he said.

It would be wrong to allow this issue to distract from the matters which should be properly focused upon in those negotiations Irish government Defending the move, Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said the cabinet had considered the current economic climate.

"When we made the original decision in October we weren't privy to the type of Exchequer figures for November where we are short in terms of the resources we thought we would have in 2008," he said.

The initial timing of the pay rise in October came at a time of cuts to the Republic's health service, and the controversy was heightened by impending government talks with trade unions over a new national wage deal in February 2008.

Mr Ahern and members of his cabinet will still receive the pay rises but they will now be phased in over a three-year period rather than 18 months as originally planned.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Irish government said: "It would be wrong to allow this issue to distract from the matters which should be properly focused upon in those negotiations."

The salary increase of 38,000 euro (£27,370) to 310,000 euro (£223,200) for Mr Ahern would have made him Europe's best-paid leader

He already earns more than UK premier Gordon Brown, whose promotion from chancellor to prime minister saw his salary rise from £136,000 to £187,000 - an instant pay hike of £51k.

He also has the use of two homes - Downing Street and Chequers - rent-free.

By comparison the salary of Northern Ireland's first minister is about £85,000, made up of £71,000 for the post and one third of an MLA's salary. This is abated because Ian Paisley is also paid for being the MP for North Antrim.