Ryanair Condemns Latest D.O.T. Crony Appointments
Pax (m)
2007
2008
2009
2010
*2011
Change
Dublin
23.3
23.5
20.5
18.4
18.4
-21%
Cork
3.2
3.3
2.8
2.4
2.1
-34% Shannon
3.6
3.2
2.8
1.8
1.6
-56%
Total DAA
30.0
29.9
26.1
22.6
22.1
-26%
*2011 figures are estimates based on Jan-Nov actuals
Ryanair believes that these appointments show the Dept of Transport’s unrelenting commitment to traffic declines and failure in Irish air transport and tourism. It appears the DOT can only search among a golden circle of Aer Lingus candidates when looking to appoint cronies to the Boards of Tourism Ireland or the DAA. Previous DAA Chairman Gary McGann was also a former Aer Lingus CEO. Ryanair suggests that the DOT should complete this golden circle by appointing Aer Lingus Chairman, Colm Barrington, to replace Declan Collier as DAA Chief Executive, given that Mr Barrington was previously on the Board of the DAA, before being appointed Chairman of Aer Lingus. Clearly the Dept of Transport’s policy of musical chairs between Aer Lingus, DAA and Tourism Ireland continues.
Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said:
“Isn’t it extraordinary, when Aer Lingus has delivered five years of cumulative losses, and more recently, traffic declines, that this is where the Dept of Transport goes to find “experts” for Board positions on Tourism Ireland and now the DAA. Appointing one of Aer Lingus’ lawyers to the DAA makes perfect sense given that the Dept of Transport’s policy has delivered five years of traffic declines at the three DAA airports, while visiting expensive gold-plated Taj-Mahals and price increases upon airport users. No one knows more about losing traffic and money in Irish aviation than Aer Lingus and the DAA.
“One wonders what Aer Lingus’ lawyer will make of the DAA’s charges, given that Aer Lingus recently described Dublin Airport’s fees as “insane”. Perhaps now that the Department has appointed yet another Aer Lingus insider to the Board of the DAA, clearly this “insanity” and policy failure will continue, but with less criticism from Aer Lingus.
“Despite Leo Varadkar’s promises of change and reform, it appears that the DOT’s magic circle (see:
https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/arthur-cox-defends-fees-conflict-policies-2644463.html ) of crony appointments, traffic declines and policy failure continues, where clearly the new Minister has made no difference whatsoever and is repeating the same failed policy of previous Minister Noel Dempsey.”
Source: Ryanair
