FF want answers on appointment of Tánaiste's wife to VEC job

Fianna Fáil is demanding answers from the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore after the appointment of his wife to a job in the Department of Education.

Mr Gilmore's wife Carol Hanney, the CEO of Dun Laoghaire VEC, will take up the new job next year when some VECs are scrapped and merged.

She will also retain her €92,000 salary.

Education Minister Ruairí Quinn has said neither he nor Mr Gilmore had any role in the appointment.

However, Fianna Fáil's Michael McGrath wants more questions answered.

He said: "People expect that very senior public appointments of this nature would be advertised, that there would be an open competition.

"I think particularly given that she is the wife of the deputy prime minister, the Tánaiste, it will inevitably raise concerns and I think that those concerns should be addressed."