Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I believe it is one part of the overall context within which the decision was made. I said that earlier so I do not need to repeat it. There was certainly a recognition that when it comes to a senior leadership role in a hugely challenging and highly complex area we need to attract the very best candidates from all over the world.

This salary was designed with a view to doing that. That process is well under way. The deadline for applications has passed at this stage and it is going through the initial PAS, Public Appointments Service, process now. It will then go on to TLAC from there. Mr. David Moloney can provide more context and detail on this.

On the point about pressures that it might lead to, I had a good engagement with Deputy Barry on that question earlier. There may well be others in the public service who will point to this to burnish their own argument for an enhanced salary. I have not come across any arguments, nor do I envisage any being made, that include the same challenges and can make a similar case of such quality as the need for having strong and effective leadership in the Department of Health.