Cowen defends €1m Molloy pension deal

September 27, 2009 by Infowars Ireland

Rody Molloy

www.irishexaminer.com

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen defended the €1 million golden handshake for former Fás boss Rody Molloy last night as two senior ministers squabbled over who was responsible for sanctioning the deal.

Meanwhile, coalition partners the Greens desperately sought to distance themselves from the whole controversy.

Mr Cowen insisted that Mr Molloy had acted “honourably” by resigning and defended Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister Mary Coughlan amid calls for her own resignation.

The Department of Enterprise made clear that Finance Minister Brian Lenihan had been consulted and had given his consent to the deal.

But the Department of Finance immediately fired back, saying Ms Coughlan’s department had “made the running” on the severance package and Mr Lenihan had merely signed off on it.

Green leader John Gormley said neither he nor his party colleague, Communications Minister Eamon Ryan, had been aware of the terms of the deal. Mr Gormley stressed that the issue had not been brought to cabinet.

He expressed his confidence in Ms Coughlan, however, as did Mr Cowen, who confirmed he had been aware of the deal at the time but said it was “in line with guidelines”.

Mr Cowen also reiterated his view that Mr Molloy had acted honourably by resigning – despite the revelation that the former Fás boss threatened legal action if he did not receive a golden handshake. Read full article…