Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I asked the Taoiseach a couple of other questions. I asked him what is the responsibility and role of the public interest directors. Has the Taoiseach ascertained from them whether any information was given about these bonuses? Second, how much money has been paid out in such bonuses? Are Members to believe the Taoiseach, who is the Head of Government, does not know or has not the information to hand on how much has been paid out in such bonuses when each worker in the country is paying for them?

The point is that it appears as though the Government does not understand the gulf of unfairness that exists in Ireland today. People in their thousands wish to help to get the country out of the mess into which the Government and its predecessors have led us. While they wish to help, they want their contribution to be respected and to be fair, but this is not fair. Moreover, the bonus culture is not simply confined to the banks. For example, the chief executive of NAMA, gets a salary of €430,000, plus a 60% bonus.

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