Joan Burton hands union figure €20K-a-year post on State board, skipping appointments process
The former general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has been appointed as chairman of a State board - without going through the new process for State appointments.
David Begg was today named as the new chairman of the Pensions Authority for a five-year term - a post worth over €20,000 a year.
It has been confirmed this evening that he was not appointed through the Public Appointments Service, but instead was chosen by Tánaiste Joan Burton.
However a spokesman said this was permitted under the new guidelines, as long as the Minister was satisfied of the appointee's credentials.
