Albert Manifold, chief executive of CRH, is Ireland's best-paid CEO, earning EUR5.53m a year (US$6.25m) according to a survey by the Sunday Independent.

Mr Manifold earns over EUR1m more than the next best-remunerated boss, Kerry Group’s Stan McCarthy.

CRH has expanded rapidly in recent years, taking on debt to purchase assets from LafargeHolcim as the latter shrank down its operations to satisfy regulators. CRH is now thought to be less keen on acquisitions as it works to integrate its new holdings and reduce its leverage.