Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

We need to have a debate about performance-related pay. It is easy to talk about the notion of bonus payments as being unacceptable. Performance-related pay is the norm in the commercial sector. All commercial companies set targets and reward people who over-achieve and there are consequences for those who under-achieve. A fortnight ago I published a new performance analysis document for public consultation to establish accountability in the public service for performance, to set targets, to have a fair and objective monitoring system for those targets and to remunerate public servants appropriately. We need a debate about performance-related pay, not to say that performance-related pay should never be given. I have made it clear that we cannot afford such pay now and it is not provided for in the Civil Service nor in the non-commercial semi-state sector. I have indicated to the Deputy previously that at the moment it is not provided for with regard to chief executive officers of commercial semi-state companies.

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