Sinn Féin is describing as "outrageous" the pension package for the out-going Irish European Commissioner.

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn will earn €2,000 a week from Irish taxpayers as her former Ministerial and TD pensions kick in.

But she will get another €1,000 a week from Europe.

Her total European pay-off will be close to €500,000.

Caoimhghín O'Caoláin is not impressed.

The comments come as Fine Gael and Labour prepare for a major battle over which party should have the right to put forward the next Commissioner.

Fine Gael are understood to want Environment Minister Phil Hogan to take-up the position. However, Labour have been pushing the case of Eamon Gilmore in recent weeks.

The Public Expenditure Minister earlier signalled that Mr. Gilmore is his choice to be the new EU Commissioner for Ireland.