Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is incorrect to state that the independent review body did not refer to performance pay. Those were in respect of further performance related payments they suggested should be paid. We have deferred consideration of these payments and they do not apply to the Judiciary or public office holders. The review body suggests it is much less than the proportion of the pay available as bonuses to many in the private sector. We were not prepared to go down that line.

The comparison with the private sector was modified by the review body. It was not a direct comparison with the private sector.

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