Mr Kieran Mulvey was appointed as Chairman of the Irish Sports Council for a 5 year term commencing 16 September 2010 by the then Minister, Mary Hanafin. Mr Mulvey's warrant provided for the payment of a fee of €8,978 per annum in respect of the position. This warrant was approved by the then Minister, Mary Hanafin.
On 18 October 2011, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) issued a direction known as the One Person One Salary principle. This direction was that anyone in the Public Sector who was in receipt of a fee for sitting on State boards in an ex-officio capacity or on behalf of their parent Department or organisation, or being nominated to such board positions independently of their public service employment, should cease to be paid such remuneration from 1 November 2011. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform confirmed that where there is a contractual obligation to pay fees this can be honoured. However arrangements should be put in place by the relevant body to have the fee terminated at the earliest legally acceptable opportunity, normally on expiry of the appointment.
Mr Mulvey is not in breach of Government pay policy as he was appointed Chairperson prior to the One Person One Salary principle and payment of his Chairperson's fee is the subject of a contractual obligation. The payment of board fees is a matter for the individual state agency. All state agencies under my Department's remit have been advised of the One Person One Salary principle. Neither I nor my Department have been advised of any other civil or public service personnel being in a similar situation.
