There will be no backing down by Walter Roban, Minister of Home Affairs, on a decision to reduce the remuneration for the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda’s board of commissioners.The commissioners have taken issue with the process that led to the monthly remuneration, except for the chairman’s, being cut from $9000 to $6,000. They have sent a “request” to the minister following their investigation into the matter.When asked by The Royal Gazette if he would be changing the decision, Mr Roban said: “No. I made a decision, and that decision is quite clear in the public eye. That decision stands.”He said that for quite some time, even before the Covid-19 pandemic, he had been in discussions with the RA about an adjustment to remuneration.Mr Roban said: “Their remuneration is substantially disproportionate to many other similar independent bodies in the country. So, for quite some time, there was a discussion about how we rationalise these costs. Because, at the same time, with the pandemic coming, the revenues of the RA would also decline, and thus, adjustments had to be made.“In keeping with the Government’s cost-cutting initiatives across the board, those discussions were had with the RA and then, subject to a process between the leader of the RA and my office, I came forth with a recommendation and that is what I approved on the adjustment down in remuneration — in response for the need for all independent bodies to look at cost-cutting measures.”When asked if he was concerned that something like this could be a distraction when the RA has important work to be done, Mr Roban said: “If it’s a distraction, it’s a distraction for them. It’s unfortunate that they spend so much time worrying about remuneration.”