Kerins withdraws waiver to disclose annual remuneration package
Mary Regan, Political Editor
Forrmer Rehab boss, Angela Kerins, has issued a legal warning to the charity against disclosing details of her pension or pay-off following her resignation as Chief Executive last week.
Ms Kerins has refused, for health reasons, to appear before today's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which is examining how the disability group uses State funding which amounted to more than €90m last year.
Declan Doyle of Rehab's remuneration committee told the PAC this morning that it received legal correspondence from Ms Kerins last night.
He read details of a letter from her solicitors, warning that "any disclosure in relation to our client's pay and or terms is strictly prohibited"
It cited confidentiality rights and said that to "discuss, disclose or comment in any way on these matters" would be in breach of data protection law.
Ms Kerins also gave notice that she was withdrawing a waiver she had previously given to disclose her annual remuneration package, which was worth €272,400 before her resignation.
At the opening of this morning's meeting, PAC chairman, John McGuinness, said he accepted that Mr Kerins was not able to attend for health reasons and wished her a speedy recovery. But he said the committee will reserve the right to re-issue an invitation if needed.
He said both she, and the recently retired chairman of the charity, Frank Flannery, still have a contribution to make to the committee's examination of spending at the Rehab group.
"The fact that they received substantial funding over the years, we would expect the fulsome cooperation from Mr Kerins and Frank Flannery," he said.
"I find it unacceptable and beyond commond sense that they would take the approach that they have taken today."
