Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I answered Questions Nos. 2 and 4 together. I will not give the Deputy the same answer that I gave to Question No. 2. I suggest that I will not read the reply again but I will be happy to answer supplementary questions.

The position I set out is that chief executive officers are not given performance-related pay. This was our decision in 2011 when we came into government. As I have indicated, it is not fixed in stone forever. Because of the current pressures on the public finances we cannot accede to payments, but we will review this policy. I am pleased to have this opportunity to explore the implications. For example, there are people who would be immeasurably beneficial as chief executive officers of commercial State companies who are paid much more in the private sector. We must ensure we can attract people who will perform well into semi-state companies with a commercial mandate. Such people may bring multiple benefits to the company and to the State. We must use methods that are measurable and reasonable. Unfortunately, it is not possible in the current economic climate to breach the reduced pay levels we have set in the revised pay rates since 2011, as I have indicated to Deputies. That will remain the situation until our financial circumstances improve a great deal.

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