Buckley earnings up by almost 50% last year

AIB's latest annual report shows that chief executive Michael Buckley's pay packet grew to €1.4m in 2003.

This represents an increase of nearly 50% and makes him comfortably the largest earner at the bank last year.

Mr. Buckley took home a basic salary of €660,000 and his remuneration package also included a €250,000 bonus for completing the merger between Allfirst, AIB's troubled US subsidiary, and M&T bank.

Details of the bank's boardroom pay emerged yesterday, with AIB shares closing 8c weaker on €12.14.