Government embarrassed by revelations ahead of budget

A SERIES of embarrassing expenditure revelations over the weekend has undermined the credibility of the Government as it prepares to deliver its budget.

As Enda Kenny last night attempted to appease the nation ahead of the Coalition’s first major attempts at stabilising the public finances, questions were being asked about pay-outs.

The stories broke at the worst possible time for the Government, which needs the public’s confidence now more than ever.

Perhaps the most damaging disclosure was confirmation that Mr Kenny sanctioned a €35,000 pay-rise for a key party handler, in breach of the Government’s own self-imposed limits on salaries for special advisers.

Mr Kenny overruled two key ministers responsible for the state’s finances to secure a €127,000 salary for former Fine Gael strategist Ciarán Conlon.

Mr Kenny personally authorised the salary for Mr Conlon to take up a role as special adviser to Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Minister Richard Bruton.

It is understood the Government has approved breaking such pay limits for a total of 14 key personnel, including the Taoiseach’s own advisers, Mark Kennelly and Andrew McDowell, who each earn salaries of €168,000, as well as Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore’s adviser, Mark Garrett.

It also emerged that the secretary general of the former Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport received a package worth more than half a million euro upon his retirement.

Con Haugh, who retired in May, qualified for a retirement lump sum of €332,896, severance pay of €110,964 and an annual pension of €100,889.

A similar package was paid to Gerry Kearney, the retired secretary general of the former Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Upon his retirement in December 2009, Mr Kearney qualified for a retirement lump sum of €332,893, severance pay of €110,964 and an annual pension of €110,964.

In yet another blow, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has said he will investigate why over €6,700 of taxpayers’ money was spent on a three-day photo-shoot at the National Ploughing Championships.

The photographs include Mr Coveney in wellies, wearing a chef’s hat while cooking and posing with a variety of food products at the various stalls.