Pressure on Coillte boss to cut salary
Speaking at the Fine Gael presidential dinner in Dublin over the weekend, Mr Kenny said he was “disappointed” not all semi-state chief executives had volunteered cuts.
It was a clear reference to Mr Gunning, as Coillte is the only semi-state organisation resisting the Government’s request to apply a 15% cut to chief executives.
Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte said yesterday, “I think it’s regrettable that Coillte is the odd one out. I hope he’ll comply and I would expect him to.”
The Government announced a pay cap of €250,000 for the semi-state sector earlier this year, but had to rely on voluntary waivers from senior management already in situ whose contracts stipulated higher salaries.
The pressure on Mr Gunning comes as the Government considers moves to claw back money from the lucrative pensions being paid to retired politicians and senior public servants.
It was reported at the weekend that the Coalition is examining methods to hit these pension holders for more taxes or levies.
