DAA chief defends €51,000 bonus despite €13m loss

The chief executive of the Dublin Airport Authority received a bonus of €51,000 last year, even though the DAA recorded losses of €13m link. Declan Collier, who was appearing before the Oireachtas Transport Committee on 23rd June 2010, has confirmed he was paid a total of €568,000 in 2009 from the State.

The DAA's chief financial officer, Ray Gray, revealed that he too was given a bonus on top of his wages, but he is refusing to say how much he received.

Declan Collier was also unwilling to outline exactly what his €51,000 bonus was awarded to him for. “I was paid a performance-related bonus in 2009 for performance against objectives which were set by the remuneration committee and the board of the company” he said.

“What were those objectives?” the Senator asked.

“Well there were a range of objectives” Collier replied.

“Tell us what they are” the Senator said.

“No Senator, I can’t…because that’s a matter for the remuneration committee and the board” Collier answered.

“It’s a matter for the public to know – you’re a servant of the public” the Senator responded link.

So, this government are very happy to pay huge bonuses to board members of Semi-State companies and other quangos, but allow the closure of a respite house run by the Brothers of Charity in Limerick city which provided sixty three families of people with intellectual disabilities with a break for their loved ones and themselves.

And the Green Party are happy to stand watching. This government are a disgrace, and the Green Party are a disgrace for allowing this to happen.