Fine Gael TD criticises €164k deal for expert

A prominent Government backbencher has criticised the €164,000-a-year contract for Health Minister James Reilly’s latest expert appointment, saying the taxpayer-funded figure is “too high”.

Cork South Central TD and Oireachtas health committee chair Jerry Buttimer made the claim after it emerged the lucrative salary will be provided to Lis Nixon, who is now responsible for tackling Ireland’s hospital trolley crisis.

Ms Nixon, who has taken up the post at the Department of Health’s special delivery unit, which targets waiting list and trolley count problems, previously worked on key reforms in the Canadian and NHS emergency health services.