The Government has announced further cuts in top level public service pensions.
Ministers decided today to impose reductions of 20% in the portion of any pension that exceeds €100,000.
Cuts earlier in the year reduced pensions over €60,000 by 12%.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has decided that it can assess office holders' pensions cumulatively.
Earlier, department officials said that the €100,000 threshold applied to an individual pension and not to cumulative pensions.
This would have meant that the pension cut would not affect most former politicians, as their Dáil and Ministerial pensions are treated separately.
The Taoiseach told the Dáil there were around 250 people on what he called "super pensions" of €100,000 and over.
Minister Brendan Howlin's announcement this evening came at the start of the Dáil debate on legislation cutting judges' pay in the wake of the recent referendum.
Mr Howlin said he would introduce the measure as amendment to a 2010 Bill on public expenditure that is going to be brought to the Seanad and then brought back to the Dáil.
He said there would be a modest saving to the State of about €400,000 per year, but it should be implemented in the broad public interest.
Mr Howlin said the move would affect a range of public sector occupations including former Presidents, Taoisigh, members of the Higher Courts, hospital consultants and former garda commissioners.
However, Fianna Fáil said the Government should go further and reduce salaries at the top of the civil and public service.
Fianna Fáil proposed amendments to bring those already on very high salaries down to the cap for new positions of €200,000 in the public service, and €250,000 in semi-State bodies.
Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams criticised the size of pensions paid to senior public servants in the Dáil, claiming they proved there are "two Irelands".
