Lenihan not told about banker’s bonus

BANK of Ireland did not notify the Government of its plans to pay a six-figure bonus to an executive, according to Green Party finance spokesman Dan Boyle.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has demanded an explanation as to why the massive payment was made at a time when the bank is dependent on taxpayer funding to keep it afloat.

According to a weekend report, the bank paid €500,000 to an executive at its asset management division as a “guaranteed loyalty bonus”.