Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach does have the answers and he does know the story. What I have said is fact. I asked the Taoiseach whether he thinks it is right, given where we are, that people can leave with very generous lump sums and huge pensions and move seamlessly into a new operation where they will enjoy top-up bonuses in addition to high salaries. This is a very important issue for a lot of people watching. There are many young, talented people who are specialists in water who did not get a look-in when it came to recruiting senior personnel to Irish Water. More than half the staff are from local authorities, Bord Gáis and other State agencies or from companies that had strong connections with these. Young, talented, qualified persons with considerable experience did not get a look-in. That is what has happened in this case. The perception is that there was an inside track - a club of sorts - operating in terms of recruitment practices.

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