Top bosses at commercial semi-state companies could have their pay slashed under a review ordered by the Cabinet.

Government ministers agreed to investigate whether salaries of chief executives at the likes of ESB, CIE, Bord Gais and RTE should be cut.

The move follows an apparent split in the Cabinet over whether semi-state companies should be forced to take reductions along with public sector workers.

While Energy Minister Eamon Ryan argued that it should be looked at, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey insisted the Government should not interfere with businesses.

There are 23 semi-state companies which also include the likes of VHI, Dublin Bus and the Dublin Airport Authority.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan only has the power to cut the salaries of chief executives and has no control over the wages of other workers at the companies.

The issue was raised at a Cabinet meeting despite the fact that it was not on the agenda.

Separately, Taoiseach Brian Cowen was accused of taking cash from the most vulnerable people in Ireland while pouring billions of euro into a black hole of banks.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said last week's slash and burn budget was palpably unfair and mean for the country's blind, carers and disabled. Welfare payment cuts for the recipients would make up 108 million euro - when 175 million euro could be saved by cutbacks to quangos, already recommended in the McCarthy Report, he said.

"You're Government has taken out the political gun to the most vulnerable - the blind, the carers and the disabled," said Mr Kenny.