Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy has acknowledged, the successful candidate, Robert Watt, has waived the salary increase in light of the economic conditions that apply now. That is being done on a voluntary basis and I acknowledge the decision he has made which is appropriate in the circumstances we are all facing.

I will point out, as I did over the course of the hearing before the Oireachtas joint committee on finance, that only a short number of years ago, an openly advertised competition to recruit a CEO for the HSE, with a salary of €300,000 on offer, failed to attract a candidate who could be appointed. As we know, Mr. Paul Reid was subsequently appointed on a higher salary and he is doing a great job as CEO of the HSE. Over the course of the past Government, a bespoke salary was agreed for the appointment of the Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris. He is of the highest calibre and is doing his job to an excellent standard.

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