Mr Charles Haughey received the highest State pension of any former Taoiseach, according to figures issued by the Department of Finance yesterday. He was paid £45,930 in 2000.
However, the former president , Dr Patrick Hillery, received a combined pension of £82,593; £63,992 paid for his time as president. Mrs Mary Robinson, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, received £63,992.
The former Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, Mr John Bruton, received £31,669; while his predecessor, Mr Albert Reynolds, received £45,310. Another former Taoiseach, Dr Garret FitzGerald, received £43,060, while Mr Liam Cosgrave, who stood down as leader of Fine Gael in 1977, received £34,448.
The disgraced former minister for foreign affairs, Mr Ray Burke, who resigned in 1997, was paid £24,470. A former Fine Gael minister for foreign affairs and tanaiste, Mr Peter Barry, received £27,113.
Dr Conor Cruise O'Brien, a former minister for posts and telegraphs, received £16,055. Mr Patrick J. Lalor, who also held that portfolio, was paid £23,217.
The former attorney general, Mr A.J. Hederman, who held the post from 1977 to 1981, was paid £15,360. Mr Harry Whelehan, who also held that position from September 1991 to November 1994, received £13,614.
Two former comptrollers and auditors general are among the highest-paid in the list published yesterday. Mr P.L. McDonnell received £48,605 and Mr Sean G. Mac Gearailt £46,030.
The Fine Gael leader, Mr Michael Noonan, a former minister for justice and health, was paid £13,800, while the Labour leader, Mr Ruairí Quinn, a former Minister for Finance, for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and for Labour received £14,548.
The Munster MEP, Mr Gerard Collins, a former minister for justice, foreign affairs and posts and telegraphs received £23,875. Ms Maire Geoghegan Quinn, a member of the European Court of Auditors, received £20,352 for her periods as minister for justice and tourism, transport and communications.
Mr Padraig Flynn, who resigned his Dáil seat in 1993 on his appointment as a European commissioner received £21,689. The former Progressive Democrats leader, Mr Des O'Malley was paid £23,875.
In total the State paid over £1.4 million to former ministers and other office-holders.
Full list of State pensions at: www.ireland.com/newspaper/special