Fianna Fáil TD hits out at 'poor judgement' of Donnelly and Watt travelling to Dubai

The Irish Examiner has asked the Department of Health for details on Mr Watt, who this week confirmed that he has taken up the €81,000 pay increase he received when he took the job last week. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

A Fianna Fáil TD has hit out at the "poor judgement" Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and his Department Secretary-General Robert Watt.

John McGuinness was speaking in response to reports that the pair have flown to the Dubai Expo Health Week.

The year-long expo is focusing on healthcare and wellness this week, with Mr Donnelly and Mr Watt flying out on Wednesday.

The Irish Examiner has asked the Department of Health for details on Mr Watt, who this week confirmed that he has taken up the €81,000 pay increase he received when he took the job last week. 

He had waived the increase at the height of the pandemic "until the economy improved".

Chair of the Oireachtas Finance Committee John McGuinness told RTÉ's Claire Byrne Show that the trip showed "bad judgment" by both men.

"And it's a bad judgment call on the side of the government that this would happen. This is not the way government should be managed, and it's wrong and it needs to be reflected on."

Mr McGuinness said that Mr Watt's pay was "done in a room in Government Buildings" at a "time when people were faced with all sorts of difficulties".

He said Mr Watt had refused to come before the Finance Committee when it had put together a report on his pay. He said Mr Watt should now answer questions on when the waiver was reversed.

AIn a statement, the department of health said Mr Donnelly and Mr Watt were attending and participating in the Expo and "supporting Irish companies in the region".

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien said that he saw no issue with the trip.

He said that the Expo has been a success for Ireland thus far and that Tánaiste Leo Varadkar had already represented Ireland.

"I understand that the trip had been planned for some time, and it was scheduled and those things are very difficult to change.

"Just because (Mr Donnelly) is away, it does not mean he is not working and fully up to date on matters and issues that are there.

"The Taoiseach has been very strong about this, as well, we have a team in Health and a team in government.

"There are certain events that require ministers to travel from time to time and that's what this is."