Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach

Covid-19 Payments and the Sale of AIB shares: Minister for Finance

Photo of Gerald NashGerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We will continue to differ on the question of the merits of conditionality around schemes like this. This is taxpayers' money and, in many respects, borrowed money and we need to drive better outcomes. The Minister and I have discussed at length over the last two years the singular and absolute importance of the two wage subsidy schemes as an intervention for saving viable jobs and supporting businesses. It is an unprecedented investment and I make no apologies for ensuring that we get the best possible outcomes for the taxpayer, the public and citizenry more generally.

I have a question on AIB. What consideration, if any, has the Minister given to rewarding staff employed at AIB for their professionalism, commitment and loyalty to the organisation in the context of any future sale of AIB shares?