Minister for the Environment John Gormley today renewed calls for former Irish Nationwide chief executive Michael Fingleton to return his €1 million pension bonus as a matter of urgency.
Mr Fingleton resigned as chief executive in April 2009 after it emerged that he had received the bonus just weeks after the Government introduced the State bank guarantee the previous September.
Mr Fingleton promised in March 2009 to voluntarily return the money, even though he was “entitled beyond any doubt” to receive it. He has yet to do so.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan have previously urged him to return the money.
Speaking outside the Engineers Conference in Cork today, the Green Party leader said returning the payment would be the correct and moral thing to do.
Earlier this week, Mr Gormley called on Bank of Ireland chief executive Richie Boucher to forgo his €1.5 million pension top-up.
“My views are very similar to the views I expressed last Monday in relation
to Mr Boucher” he said. “It sends out the wrong signal, it enrages people – I know that from speaking to my own constituents – and therefore I think there is a moral onus on Mr Fingleton to give this money back”.
“Any legal means that we can find should be pursued; but it is difficult as you know, because of property rights and the Constitution we have in this country” he added.
Mr Boucher announced on Wednesday that he will effectively forgo his €1.5 million pension top-up. His decision came after Taoiseach Brian Cowen said such a move would help secure the Croke Park agreement between the Government and the public service unions.
It also followed remarks by Labour Relations chief executive Kieran Mulvey such awards were creating a negative climate and would discourage acceptance of the proposed new pay deal.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny welcomed Mr Boucher’s decision and said he hoped Mr Fingleton “will respond in a similar fashion”.