Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)

I understand it is not of Mr. McDonagh's making but the point is that the Taoiseach of this country stood up in the Dáil and said it would not cost the State any more money because the individual who was to be appointed housing tsar, namely, Mr. McDonagh, was going to be on this salary of €430,000 anyway. Then we had the Minister for Finance commenting on Mr. McDonagh's salary and saying his understanding was that Mr. McDonagh would be taking a reduced wage. We are the finance committee, Mr. McDonagh is the person with whom the contract is and we are trying to square the circle. Who is telling the truth here? Is it the Minister for Finance who oversees the NTMA and is saying Mr. McDonagh will be taking a reduced wage or is it the Taoiseach of the country who is saying Mr. McDonagh is on a salary of €430,000 anyway and will be on a salary €430,000?