Government fails to stop Aer Lingus chief’s pension hike

A Government bid to block huge pension boosts for the boss of Aer Lingus has been voted down by the narrowest of margins.

A 50.03% majority saw shareholders decide in favour of the airline’s CEO, Christoph Müller, keeping his lavish pension increase while workers face fears that theirs will be cut.

Mr Müller’s 2013 remuneration totalled €1.52m, up by nearly 18% on the previous year, and boosted by nearly €1m in bonus payments and pension contributions. The €70,000 rise — to €175,000 — in pension contribution, came about via an increase in employer contribution to his pot, from 25% to 40% of his basic salary.