Ex-boss of NTMA refuses to waive bonus

The former chief executive of the National Treasury Management Agency has said he will not give up his €200,000 bonus.

It emerged yesterday that over 100 staff attached to the Department of Finance received bonus payments, including the windfall to former NTMA boss Dr Michael Somers.

The Irish Independent reports that Dr Somers will not give up the payment as he insists he earned it.

He also told the paper that the Minister for Finance always knew what his "salary and bonus" was.

The Taoiseach defended the payments in the Dáil yesterday saying they were not bonuses.