The ESB union has defended the company's decision to pay staff the 3.5% national wage increase.
Yesterday, a number of Ministers strongly criticised the management at ESB for giving its workforce the pay rise.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley said there was widespread concern in Government that it was seen as inappropriate and that it is sending the wrong signals at this time.
However speaking on RTÉ Morning Ireland, Secretary of the ESB's Group of Unions David Naughton said the ESB is a profitable company and not the only one to pay the increase.
