Taoiseach piles fresh pressure on Coillte chief over pay

Coillte Chief Executive David Gunning is coming under fresh pressure to accept a 15% pay cut requested by the Government.

Last night, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he was "very disappointed" that the Coillte head has not yet acceded to the voluntary salary cut. He is the only boss of a semi-state body not to have done so.

Mr Kenny made the remarks at Fine Gael's annual Presidential Dinner at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin last night.

The Taoiseach said next month's budget will see the introduction of pay ceilings and retirement arrangements for senior public servants and semi-state executives.

Mr Kenny said the Government's radical reform of the public sector will tackle waste and either merge or abolish at least 48 quangos.

The Taoiseach said this budget aims to create jobs and protect the most vulnerable - but he warned that it will be "tough on everyone".