12/12/2007

Irish Cabinet Defers Controversial Pay Awards

After weeks of controversy, Government Ministers in the Republic have made the surprise move to defer their recently recommended pay rises for one year.

After robustly defending their pay awards against many critics, the shock decision to put off payment was agreed at Tuesday morning's meeting of the Cabinet.

Previously, they had insisted that since an independent body had recommended the rises for Ministers, senior civil servants, and bosses of government agencies – that the pay rises – including one of €38,000 for the Taoiseach – would proceed as planned.

The Irish opposition parties originally led the criticism, pointing out that it would have brought Mr Ahern's salary to €310,000 per year, and that Ministers' salaries would have risen by between €25,000 and €38,000.

See: Irish Government's Pay Rise Slammed



(BMcC/JM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

10 September 2002
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.
05 January 2024
SF Calls For 'Fair Pay Rises' For Healthcare Workers
Sinn Féin Vice President and First Minister Designate Michelle O'Neill has written to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to state her continued support for fair pay rises and safe working conditions for all health and social care staff.
19 December 2023
Blockade Leaves Thousands Of Workers 'High And Dry' – SF
Tens of thousands of workers have been left high and dry, facing uncertainty over pay rises as a result of a failure of leadership at the very top of the DUP, Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy has said.
14 November 2024
Health Minister Seeks Urgent Talks On Pay
The Health Minister has confirmed that he has requested an early meeting with health service trade unions to discuss next steps on pay offers for 2024/25. Due to Northern Ireland's budgetary constraints, the Minister is unable to deliver the desired pay settlements for this year.
24 May 2021
Hovis Workers Agree Increased Pay Offer
A majority of Hovis workers have accepted an increased pay offer and strike action has now ended. Unite the union welcomed the offer and said it was as "decisive victory for workforce achieved through collective organisation and industrial militancy".