Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 March 2012
69 Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of discussions between him and AIB officials, he is satisfied sufficient notification was given to EBS staff that a bonus payment which was due in December 2011 will not be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12049/12]
View answerI addressed the issue raised by the Deputy in his question when contributing to a Topical Issues debate on the matter of the EBS "13 Month" payment on 15 December 2011. The record of the House shows I indicated that "I have the utmost sympathy for EBS staff regarding the timing of the announcement of the decision that this so-called 13th month payment would not be made. This does not reflect well on management and should not have happened. However, this payment is described in the contracts of the relevant staff members as the payment of a Christmas bonus. The terms of the latest capital investment in AIB and its accompanying letters made clear in July 2011 that no bonuses whatsoever could be paid or awarded." I am happy that through the combined efforts of management and trade union officials, with the assistance of the Labour Relations Commission, a solution was found acceptable to all parties whilst respecting the above principle
I might add to reinforce that principle that as informed by AIB, and contrary to continuing media reporting on the issue, no such payments have been made to EBS management since 1992 and no bonuses of any kind have been paid to this cadre of employee since 2008 in line with the conditions outlined above.
