Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not aware of when this kind of arrangement was first approved and how far back it goes. I do not agree with the practice. The instruction from both the Minister for Health and the HSE to the section 38 hospitals and agencies is very clear and is not in contention. It was said that they must comply with the direction that non-Exchequer payments could not be made to chief executives, putting them in breach of agreed public pay policy.

Public pay policy is decided by the Government in negotiations. Such payments are paid for by the taxpayer. The buildings - in this case, hospitals - where such people work are also paid for by the taxpayer. We cannot and will not have a situation in which chief executives breach the public service pay agreements through unauthorised non-Exchequer payments.

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