Bonuses for water staff lambasted

Ministers have been accused of trying to wash their hands of responsibility for Irish Water in a bid to head off further controversy after it emerged the utility plans to pay a 9% bonus to workers who under perform.

In a move seen as attempting to create distance between the Government and the company it created, several senior ministers publicly questioned the competency of the semi-state’s board ahead of a review of its performance next month.

Fianna Fáil accused the Government of trying to scapegoat Irish Water chief John Tierney, while Sinn Féin demanded a crackdown on the bonus culture operating at the utility.