Anger in Inishowen as €100,000 pay rise for Uisce Éireann CEO approved

A €100,000-plus pay rise for the chief executive of Uisce Éireann has landed badly in Inishowen, where many households are asking how salaries can flow so easily when water cannot, amid ongoing shortages, boil water notices, and service failures.

The Government is facing mounting criticism nationwide, including from opposition party councillors in Inishowen, after it emerged that the board of Uisce Éireann, formerly Irish Water, has approved a substantial salary increase for CEO Niall Gleeson. His base salary will rise from €225,000 to €330,000 this year.

Mr Gleeson is the latest semi-state boss to benefit from revised pay structures introduced following a review initiated by former finance minister Paschal Donohoe. 

The changes came after the establishment of the Senior Posts Remuneration Committee in 2024, which was tasked with reviewing and recommending appropriate wage levels for CEOs in the commercial semi-state sector.

Several other senior executives have also received pay increases under the new framework. CIÉ chief executive Stephen Kent will earn €225,000 this year, up from the €190,000 earned by his predecessor. Dublin Bus CEO Billy Hann has received a €60,000 pay hike compared to his predecessor, bringing his salary to €260,000. 

While the Irish National Stud chief executive, Cathal Beale’s pay has risen from €110,569 to €170,000. The RTÉ Board has also applied for a salary increase for Director General Kevin Bakhurst, who currently earns €250,000.

However, the decision to award a significant pay rise to the head of Uisce Éireann has sparked outrage among public representatives in Donegal, particularly in Inishowen, where water infrastructure problems remain a daily reality for many residents.

South Inishowen Councillor Joy Beard said she was left almost speechless by the news.

“I have no words, I don’t swear, but I’m very close to it after reading about the pay rise,” she said. “We continue to raise all the issues about our water supply, or lack of it, yet nothing is being done by those in power. They know, but they are turning a blind eye, and then this happens.”

The 100% Redress Party Councillor stressed that her anger was not directed at frontline workers but at senior decision-makers. “Councillors are shouting themselves hoarse, communities are suffering, and those with the power to act continue to delay and deflect. Access to clean, reliable water is a basic public service, not a luxury. Donegal is not an afterthought.”

The Buncrana councillor highlighted the reality facing families and businesses across Inishowen. “People are dealing with regular water outages, boil water notices, leaks, low pressure, and service failures. Families can’t rely on turning on a tap. Businesses are left scrambling. Communities are constantly asking a basic question, which is, will there be water today or not?”

“At the same time, we see headlines about huge pay increases at Uisce Éireann, while our infrastructure continues to crumble and promised investment fails to materialise on the ground, and communities are still left without a safe, reliable water supply,” Councillor Beard added. “Let’s call this what it is and stop sugar-coating it, Uisce Éireann is not fit for purpose.”

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Sinn Féin Councillor Jack Murray also criticised the decision, saying he was “completely at a loss” to understand how it could be justified. 

“As someone who deals with countless calls from frustrated, angry, and let-down people from across Inishowen, I cannot see how this wage is in any way justifiable.”