Consultant's retirement deal queried

THE early retirement package for the former chief medical consultant with the Blood Transfusion Service Board was raised with the Taoiseach. Mr Bruton was answering questions about severance arrangements made with civil servants, in his Department.

Last week, it was revealed by the Minister for Health, Mr Noonan, that Dr Terry Walsh received a lump sum of £86,872 and an annual pension of £29,018 in April, 1995.

Yesterday, the PD leader, Ms Mary Harney, described the early retirement package as "very generous". "We are now going to have an inquiry. That person will not be suffering financially, and maybe we might not even be able to open up the case ... That might have been part of the agreement with him, I don't know."

She suggested that this was wrong, that it caused public disquiet, and that there was not proper accountability from those who were incompetent in the public service.

The Fianna Fail spokeswoman on health, Mrs Maire Geoghegan Quinn, asked what would happen in a situation where wrongdoing was proven subsequent to the payment of generous severance terms.

"Could the Taoiseach indicate that assurances have been given by the Government, or by any department, or by any State agency, in respect of the persons mentioned by Deputy Harney... that they cannot be held accountable at any time in the future?"

Mr Bruton said he was answering questions relating to the Department of the Taoiseach only. "The deputy and Deputy Harney seem to be pursuing matters concerning other ministries and other situations. I am not prepared to answer questions on that because they do not arise here."

However, he added, as far as he was concerned, no amnesties had been given to any people regarding their resignation from office as far as his Department, or Departments under his aegis, was concerned. The Director of Public Prosecutions could take whatever steps he decided should be taken, if a case was referred to him.

He reminded the House that the law was there to protect those who were "unpopular as well as those who were popular".