A VHI board meeting is expected to be held early next week to discuss the difficulty in filling the position of chief executive of the health insurance company. The acting chief executive, Mr Aidan Walsh, whose contract was due to expire at the end of last month, has been asked to continue in the position for now.
A spokesman for the company said last night that Mr Walsh, a partner at accountants Price Waterhouse, was continuing as acting chief executive pro tem.
The VHI has been without a permanent chief executive since the resignation of Mr Brian Duncan in May. It is understood there is some disquiet among board members concerning recent developments in the company and they feel they have not been fully involved in decisions taken.
The Government rejected a proposal by the VHI board in December to offer Mr Ray Bates, chief executive of the National Lottery, a remuneration package significantly above the Gleeson pay guidelines. The post had been offered to Mr Bates by the VHI chairman, Mr Derry Hussey, and was approved by the board. A board sub-committee proposed the appointment.
The full extent of the proposed remuneration package for Mr Bates had not been revealed to the VHI board. However, it is understood that he was offered a basic salary of £150,000, plus potentially valuable bonuses, a company car and other perks.