The former chief executive of the Central Remedial Clinic says he quit so that the clinic can start again "with a clean slate". Brian Conlan resigned as chief executive in the wake of revelations that money from public fundraising was used to pay private salary top-ups.

He had been scheduled to appear in front of a Dáil Committee later this week to discuss the top up payments.

Although Mr. Conlon did not benefit from the top ups himself there, was concern about a lack of external competition surrounding his appointment to the job.

"I believe that there should be full transparency within the charitable sector with regard to how all funds raised, both private and public, are spent and that all executive remuneration should be within HSE guidelines" he said in a statement.

"I hope that the CRC will now take the opportunity to start afresh with a clean slate so that the excellent service provided by its dedicated staff can continue to be made available to its’ clients who rely on it and who should not be the innocent victims of any fallout" he added.

Meanwhile there have been calls for more members of the board of directors to follow Mr. Conlan and resign. Labour TD Robert Dowds says the surviving directors do not have the moral authority to choose the next chief executive.

Earlier, the Independent TD Shane Ross - who is also a member of the Public Accounts Committee - told Lunchtime here on Newstalk they may still call on Mr. Conlon to appear.