Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to be clear, because that is something that is repeatedly said back to me when I ask questions about this, I am in no way suggesting that this was not above board, that the person who was chosen should not have been chosen or anything of that sort. The point is that we keep being told that this €81,000 pay increase was needed and was the only way we could attract someone to the position, when there was someone who was happy and willing to do it at its original level. It was someone who was already working within the State and I wish him all the best in the role.

Mr. Fraser has been clear that there should be transparency and accountability, which I welcome. What procedural reforms would he recommend to improve transparency and accountability and to restore public trust? The fact is, this has really angered people. It was not something about which it was just within the bubbles of Leinster House that people were annoyed, it was felt on the ground and something that all of us as public representatives heard regularly, because people have struggled so much this year. The sum of €81,000 is a galling figure that clearly amounts to a massive pay increase. We need to ensure that public trust around this is restored and we need more transparency. What are Mr. Fraser's views on that?