Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Finance if the recently reported proposed bonus payment of €7 million to Bank of Ireland officials, which in essence is taxpayers' money, will be allowed to proceed; if he will request these officials to forego such payments at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21253/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to a recent article in a Sunday newspaper. Payments of some €7 million have been approved as contractually due deferred bonus and retention overseas payments and payments to temporary contractors. The bank has undertaken that no further submissions to the Department of Finance will be made for payment of contractually deferred payments for 2012 and beyond. I expect, however, other submissions on other remuneration matters will be made from time to time to the Department.

I wrote to Bank of Ireland on 8 July last and instructed the Bank that, in consideration of State support received, as and from the date of the letter, no employment bonus whatsoever was to be paid or awarded other than on foot of a Court order or with the prior consent of NTMA. Except as noted above, no bonus payments have been made in relation to Irish employees.