Bruton: Fingleton expenses 'totally inappropriate'

Minister for Jobs and Enterprise Richard Bruton has described as “totally inappropriate” the expenses and bonuses incurred by former Irish Nationwide Chief Executive Michael Fingleton.

It comes amid reports that Mr Fingleton ran up expenses of €88,000 after he left his post in 2009, including charges for overseas trips, golf club membership and even dental work.

The building society is now under the control of Anglo Irish Bank.

The bank has written to Mr Fingleton inviting him to return the money as well as a controversial €1m bonus he received in 2008.

Speaking today, Minister Bruton said the Government supports whatever action is being taken to recover the money.

"The Government from the outset have been clear that we believe that this is totally inappropriate, and we support whatever action Anglo Irish is taking," he said.

Meanwhile Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has hinted at possible legal action, saying if the former banker doesn't pay back the money voluntarily, he may be obliged to do so.

“I think that people in this country who are suffering the consequences of what happened in the banking system – people who are having their pay cut, people who are having their pensions addressed, people who have lost jobs, lost businesses – are entitled to see retribution from those who abused expenses schemes in the banks,” said Mr Gilmore in Cork.

“Yes, I do think it needs to be paid back.”