Bruton knew of Appleby plan to retire in advance

Richard Bruton knew a full two weeks before he told the Cabinet that the Director of Corporate Enforcement was planning to retire.

Internal correspondence seen by the Irish Examiner has raised fresh questions about the manner in which the jobs minister handled Paul Appleby’s on-off retirement.

Mr Appleby announced on Jan 31 that he intended to avail of the Government’s early retirement scheme and step down from his position the following month.