Byrne will not accept payment after HEA appointment

A Donegal councillor appointed to the Higher Education Authority by Tánaiste and Education Minister Mary Coughlan says he will not accept the €8,250 annual fee and suggests others should follow suit.
Cllr Brendan Byrne’s appointment last week was condemned  by unions, with TUI General Secretary Peter Mc Menamin calling it “blatant croneyism”. Critics say such an appointment would normally be of a person who works in the third level secto or is involved in business.
They say it is very rare for a full time public representitive to be appointed to such a role.