New ESB chief to receive €318,000 salary

The ESB have appointed a new chief executive, with current executive director of ESB Energy International Pat O'Doherty taking the generous salary of €318,000.

O'Doherty's salary has been set by the Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin and does not for any bonuses or benefits, with the exception of a company car. The ESB veteran, who joined the State company in 1981, will replace a retiring Padraigh McManus.

Though O'Doherty's salary is quite high for a semi-state employee (it's 31% above the government's pay cap), it is a substantial drop from McManus' salary of €500,000, which itself a drop down a €750,000 salary in 2009.

"In the case of the ESB, it was widely accepted that the salary and entitlements of the outgoing Chief Executive were excessive,” said Fianna FailDeputy Leader Éamon Ó Cuív prior to O'Doherty's appointment.

“But we now have a situation where the new Chief Executive is also being recruited on an annual salary that is €68,000 in excess of the €250,000 cap set by the previous finance minister, Brian Lenihan, in December.”