Benchmarking a disgrace - O'Leary

RYANAIR CHIEF executive Michael O'Leary last night said salaries of civil servants should be increased if they increase their productivity. However, he said benchmarking under former taoiseach Bertie Ahern was "a disgrace".

Mr OLeary was speaking at a the Leviathan debate on capitalism in Dublin last night, hosted by David McWilliams and with Green Party chairman Dan Boyle.

Mr OLeary said he was disappointed that Government cuts have been postponed until after Christmas. He acknowledged that there would have to be more significant cuts in services and increases in tax.

Despite this he said the Government should not have cut the cervical cancer vaccine for teenage girls. The Government could have cut spending in areas which it should not be running rather than education and health, he said. One example was selling some semi-state services such as half of Dublin Airport Authority.

However, he was critical of the lack of productivity and poor management by the HSE and the in-service day for teachers taking place on weekdays.

On the banking crisis Mr OLeary said if he was in charge he would "fire most of them". However, he said civil servants should not be put in charge of the banks, criticising in particular the job played by the financial regulator.