Mary Mitchell O’Connor won’t be drawn on €16k top-up

Super junior minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor has refused to say if she is still seeking a €16,288 salary top-up linked to the role despite the fact that the payment would need new legislation to be passed by the Dáil.

The Fine Gael TD declined to clarify the situation on three occasions during a media briefing at the Department of Education, insisting the issue is “very low down on my agenda”.

In the aftermath of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s cabinet reshuffle last month, there was widespread criticism over the fact that a new super junior minister position had been created for Ms Mitchell O’Connor.