Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I do not have the figure sought by the Deputy in his last question; that is a matter to be taken up with the Minister for Finance in a parliamentary question. The cap we introduced was in respect of the appointment of new personnel to the position of CEO or other senior positions. There was no proposal from the Minister for Finance in which the Government was asked to approve a salary greater than the cap that was fixed.

The appointments of Dan O'Connor as executive chairman, Colm Doherty as group managing director and Dr. Michael Somers as deputy chairman will proceed. Mr. Doherty will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the group and he has agreed to take up his new role for a salary of €500,000.

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