The Chief Executive of the Dublin Airport Authority has said he will forgo a performance-related bonus of €106,000 for 2010, in ‘light of prevailing national economic circumstances’.
In a statement issued this evening, the Board of the DAA said it had approved the bonus to Declan Collier based on the achievement of performance related targets.
The decision has been welcomed by Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar.
He said the semi-State sector, like all sections of society and the economy, will have to undergo a significant transformation in order to survive and prosper, requiring leadership and personal sacrifice from the top.
Earlier, the Minister for Finance has said the Board should consider why they should remain in their positions, when they disagree on the issue of pay with the wishes of the owner of the Authority - the taxpayers.
His comments come two days after it was revealed that the DAA has decided to delay, but not cancel, a performance-related payment of €106,000 to Mr Collier, for 2010.
Mr Varadkar indicated that unless the decision is reversed, he would not reappoint seven of the Authority's directors when their terms expire at the end of the year.
He said it is not in his power to sack any board members of the DAA, but wants to make sure all boards respect State policy.
Mr Noonan said it was a pity that Mr Collier and the Board broke from the consensus that all senior people in the public service have to give moral leadership and be subject to pay caps.
According to the DAA's annual report for last year, Mr Collier took a 12% cut in his basic salary, but his total package was up on 2009.
The DAA said only €21,900 in performance-related bonuses were actually paid to Mr Collier last year, in respect of 2009.
The bonus payment for 2010 was deferred to reflect current Government policy.
But Minister Varadkar said it was the Government's clear policy that no bonuses should be made for 2010.
The Irish Mail reported that Mr Varadkar said he will not reappoint seven of the directors on the DAA board, who are due to have their terms renewed at the end of the year, unless the full bonus payment to Mr Collier is returned.
