We need a large dose of Varadkar - NAMA bonus payments

Is there no end to the hard-neck approach of agencies created by governments to carry out major projects? 

It is hardly surprising the latest controversy involves the vexed question of bonus payments for developers working for NAMA. Not only does this twist in the bonus saga reveal an insatiable appetite for splurging public money, it also reflects a blatant disregard for the suffering of people groaning under the yoke of austerity.

There is no denying that responsibility for encouraging the bonus culture lies with the Government’s inept handling of the formation of Irish Water. Despite being embroiled in controversy, it had the gall to award bonuses of around €9,000 per year to senior managers at the company even if their work was not up to scratch.

Describing the NAMA suggestion as an “appalling idea”, Tánaiste Joan Burton observed that no matter how remote a possibility it might be, the notion should be removed immediately from the company’s agenda. With weekend polls showing Labour’s support at an all-time low, it is perhaps not surprising, but possibly too late in the day, for her to court the grey vote by suggesting the bonuses should go to pensioners instead.

With the Fine Gael-Labour administration seemingly intent on repeating the bungling of Fianna Fáil, its popularity is plummeting. Despite government promises of new politics, more accountability and greater transparency, the signs are little has changed. A disturbing picture of how successive governments operate shows that information which should be readily available to the public has been swept under the carpet because notes of crucial meetings were not kept. This emerged at last week’s opening session of the long-promised bank inquiry. According to witnesses, public servants at the highest level were not taking notes of vital discussions and decisions. This glaring lack of accountability is a damning indictment of the system. It also emerged that no minutes were kept of several meetings about the setting up of Irish Water. Those present included Bord Gáis managers, Department of Environment officials, and, on two occasions, former environment minister, now EU Commissioner Phil Hogan.

Among other promises long since abandoned was the grandiose but unrealistic proposal to introduce universal health insurance. Announced by former health minister James Reilly, it has rightly been blown out of the water by his successor, Leo Varadkar, who admits the health system is financially broke. His refreshing honesty appears to unsettle Enda Kenny.

That the HSE is also given to concealing facts is evidenced by figures showing that some 27,000 people are queuing for vital NMRI cancer and heart scans, with more than a quarter of them waiting over a year. This life-and-death delay is caused by a chronic shortage of staff to operate costly radiology equipment after 5pm and every weekend. Totally unacceptable scenario . It should be used around the clock to save lives. Both the health service and government could do with a large dose of Leo Varadkar.