Answers sought over senior civil servant's €292,000 salary

In his new role as interim secretary-general in health, Robert Watt will receive €81,000 more than secretaries-general in other departments

Robert Watt, the interim-secretary general of the Department of Health, whose new salary has come under scrutiny. File Picture.

A major row has erupted over when the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will reveal its role in the setting of a €292,000 salary for a new top health official.

Three separate Oireachtas committees have demanded answers from the department on the re-assignment of Robert Watt as interim secretary-general in Health and the new salary, which is €81,000 more than other top-tier secretaries-general salaries.