An attendant at an automated car- park in the centre of Castlebar, Co Mayo, earned more than €66,000 last year. Another full-time attendant at the same urban council-run facility was paid almost €50,000.
The figures stunned local town councillors earlier this week when details of the wage bill were presented at the third estimates meeting of the past month.
The Mayor of Castlebar, Mr Michael Kilcoyne, described the wages as "totally off the wall".
"These two men must be the best-paid outdoor workers in the country - and remember they are full-time employed at an automated car park. We don't blame these men. They put in the hours and were paid at the agreed rates. However, serious questions must be asked about how this car-park is being managed."
The Castlebar town manager, Mr Ray Norten, explained that three parties were involved in the contract - Tesco, the urban council and a private company, Cavendish Lane Properties.
This company received 60 per cent of the net profit from the car-park.
"Castlebar town council manages the car-park but cannot change how the facility is managed and operated without agreement from the other two interests," Mr Norten told bewildered councillors,
Independent councillor Mr Frank Durcan called for an immediate review of the contract agreement.
"When we had half the number of spaces available at that location we were making twice the profit for Castlebar urban council. How can we now find ourselves managing a larger facility and making a fraction of the profit?"