FIANNA FÁIL LEADER Micheál Martin has said that what he called the “scapegoating” of the head of Irish Water and its board is “not good enough”.
He was speaking after reports emerged in the Sunday Business Post that some senior coalition figures had discussed the “need to replace” Irish Water CEO John Tierney.
The issue of bonus payments to Irish Water staff has also been discussed by political figures today after RTÉ revealed details of its bonus scheme.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin told RTÉ’s This Week programme he was “appalled” at the details of the bonuses for Irish Water and Ervia staff.
He also said this news will “anger people even more” and in his view undermines the government’s whole strategy in relation to the creation of Irish Water.
“The government needs to intervene here and say bonuses cannot be paid to employees of Irish Water,” said Martin.
Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said on the same show that the Government does not control the pay model that applies in a commercial body at levels below director and CEO.
Bruton said that Irish Water has to be accountable and perform against very clear targets. He also said that introducing water charges is “a difficult process”.
“No one is pretending it is easy for people to have to shoulder a new charge. Most people understand why this is being done,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald described the news about the bonuses and also about a call-out charge for leak repairs as “madness”.
She called on Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister Alan Kenny to “get their finger out and move to address this debacle in a comprehensive manner”. She said that this must include the complete abolition of domestic water charges.
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