Watt's €292K appointment to health to be approved

Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy said that the appointment 'has all the hallmarks of an old-fashioned stroke'

Robert Watt's role in setting the salary for his new appointment has been questioned.

The appointment of Robert Watt as secretary general of the Department of Health on a permanent basis is expected to be approved this week.

Sources say that Stephen Donnelly, the health minister, will bring a memo to Cabinet on Wednesday after Mr Watt's appointment to the role, which he has been doing on an interim basis, was approved by the top-level appointments committee (TLAC).