Enda Kenny and Shane Ross in €270k ‘crony’ job row

A major row has erupted between Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Independent Alliance Transport Minister Shane Ross over Mr Kenny’s desire to appoint an insider to a €270,000-a-year post in Europe.

It is understood that so tense was the disagreement that Mr Ross threatened to “pull the plug” on the Government, which is just four weeks old.

Ten days ago, Mr Kenny approached Mr Ross, informing him of his desire to nominate someone to become vice-president of the European Investment Bank (EIB) without undergoing a formal vetting process. The names of former taoiseach John Bruton and former Department of Finance secretary general John Moran have been linked to the prestigious post.