I propose to take Questions Nos. 869, 870, 875, 898 and 902 together.
The salary range for CEOs in commercial State Bodies was revised upwards in 2008 to reflect national pay awards at that time. The Department of Finance direction to this Department in 2008 set out the individual salary ranges for CEOs of each of our commercial State bodies, including for the Harbour companies referenced by the Deputy. In the case of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, the salary range set by the Department of Finance was from €130,165 to €162,680. The CEO is on the lower end of that range and is not on a contract that is annually renewed. There are no current proposals to reduce the CEO's salary and I do not know the basis for the Deputy's reference to a requirement for a reduction of 10% per annum.
Regarding the payment in lieu of untaken annual leave, the Chairperson explained at the time to my predecessor that the decision to pay the CEO in lieu of annual leave was taken having regard to exceptional circumstances at the time. The Chair acknowledged my Department's view that it disagreed with the decision and confirmed that this situation would not arise again.
The matters raised by the Deputy relating to the consultations by the Chairperson and Board members prior to the above mentioned payment and compliance with the working time legislation is a matter for the Board and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions on these matters to the Chairperson for direct response to the Deputy. If the Deputy does not receive a response within 10 working days, he should contact my private office.