Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)

First, the salary increases are in line with the aegis of the Department of public expenditure and reform and the guidelines set out by it. It is important to say that salaries of CEOs are in line with the responsibilities they take on. They vary from agency to agency, depending on the responsibility they have, the number of people working in the organisation and all that goes with that. With State and semi-State agencies, it is important that we have people in control who are able to progress Government policy, expenditure and infrastructure changes, especially in the area of transport where at all times we are trying to improve our roads, rail and all of our transport infrastructure. It is important that we attract the best people to these jobs. It is a fine balance. I hear what the Deputy is saying but it is a fine balance between having these State agencies operating in an effective manner and carrying out their jobs properly while also working within the bands set out by the Department of public expenditure and reform.

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