THE GOVERNMENT FACED criticism from opposition in the Dáil today over the decision to grant the bosses of major semi-State bodies pay increases worth tens of thousands of euro.

As reported by the Irish Independent last week, freshly approved salary increases have been granted to the CEOs of a number of commercial semi-State organisations, including Dublin Bus, CIÉ, Uisce Éireann, and the Irish National Stud.

The head of CIÉ will see a €35,000 increase, the National Stud chief is set for a €60,000 bump, the CEO of Bus Éireann will get €50,000 more, and the head of Iarnród Éireann is to receive a €75,000 rise.

The CEO of Uisce Éireann is also set for revised pay and terms and conditions, including allowances for expenses and pension payments.

It has also been reported that a pay increase has been sought for RTE’s Director General, potentially bringing the salary close to €300,000.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald immediately confronted Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the issue as soon as the first Leaders’ Questions of the year kicked off today.

“1.4 million workers in this State earn less than €45,000,” McDonald said.

“Can you imagine their disbelief when they see you increase the salaries of semi-State CEOs by 60 and 70,000 euros, increases far beyond that which is earned by those who keep the country going,” she added.

“Households count every euro just to make ends meet, yet your government finds the money for bumper pay increases for the top brass of semi-State bodies. Where is the fairness in that?”

McDonald accused Martin of repeatedly “brushing aside” workers while lavishing cash on executives and tax breaks for landlords, developers, and banks.

“Your actions speak for themselves,” McDonald said.

“The profound unfairness of these pay hikes lands very badly on families already struggling.”

Martin defended the increases, pointing out that salaries for semi-State chiefs are set by an independent body and that the hikes reflect recruitment challenges and the need to retain talent in key roles.

“There had been few increases in recent times, it was becoming difficult to recruit people, to keep positions within the semi state sector, which is important for the economy,” Martin said.

He also highlighted the Government’s record in boosting employment, with over 2.8 million people in work, and stressed that public sector workers would see real income growth of around 3%, thanks to pay agreements.

McDonald fired back, claiming that the government’s priorities are to “look after those at the top.”

I cannot believe that you are so, frankly,  tone-deaf and detached from reality that you cannot see the profound unfairness in your actions.

In response, Martin once again defended the pay increases.

“We decided in the last budget to invest in services, I would have thought that’s something that your party would want us to do, and there would be the time when you would have argued for that, but you keep flip-flopping all over the place in terms of your policies,” Martin said.