Bonuses for Irish Water staff

Ministers were left red-faced after it was revealed 299 staff at Irish Water are in line for bonuses of up to €7,000 on average — despite Cabinet outrage at the move.

News of the top-up pay scheme at the company initially provoked condemnation from Social Protection Minister Joan Burton and Fine Gael’s Brian Hayes.

However, it later emerged two Government departments had sanctioned the bonuses as the Irish Water controversy again consumed the Coalition.