Dempsey defends ‘farcical’ investigation

EMBATTLED Transport Minister Noel Dempsey last night insisted there was nothing wrong with his key official heading an investigation into her own failure to inform him of the looming Shannon crisis.

Mr Dempsey claimed an independent inquiry into the actions of his department’s secretary general Julie O’Neill would serve no purpose, as he defended her €58,000-a-year pay rise.

The minister said the 27% increase for Ms O’Neill, which takes her annual salary to €270,000 — €30,000 more than Mr Dempsey earns — was decided by an independent review body for all civil servants on her senior grade.