Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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177. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to review the remuneration given to the Financial Services Ombudsman Council which is currently €21,600 per annum for the Chairman, and €12,600 per annum for board members; his views on whether the €486,000 paid personally to council members during the period 2008 to 2013 by way of fees is excessive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26983/13]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Firstly, I must point out that the Financial Services Ombudsman is independent in the performance of his statutory functions. I have no role in the day to day workings of the office.

The Government at its meeting on 5 May 2009 approved a 10% reduction of fees paid to non-executive chairpersons and members of the boards of State Bodies. The Financial Services Ombudsman Council fees were revised down following the Government Decision with Council members receiving €12,600 and the Chairperson receiving €21,600.

I have been informed by the Financial Services Ombudsman that a total of €530,183 has been paid to the Financial Services Ombudsman Council for the period 2008 to 31 March 2013. The details are as follows:-

The setting of fees for non-executive chairpersons and members of the boards of State Bodies is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I have been informed that he has no plans at present to review the fees.