Noonan 'bottled' opportunity by failing to oppose pay of BOI chief

The Finance Minister has been criticised for failing to oppose the pay of the head of Bank of Ireland.

The Bank held its AGM earlier - at which shareholders approved the €840,000 package paid to CEO Richie Boucher and Chairman Archie Kane.

The AGM saw angry scenes - mainly by smaller shareholders - who were in the minority.

Minister Michael Noonan abstained from the vote, and Independent TD Shane Ross said that he missed an opportunity.

"The Minister for Finance who had an opportunity to cut 15% of the shares against Richie Boucher's pay and indeed Archie Kane's pay of nearly €490,000 now and against other directors pay, bottled the opportunity to do it."