"2026 is going to be a great year for passengers at Dublin and Cork airports."
That was the assessment of Kenny Jacobs in a social media post this week, as he highlighted some of the ongoing upgrade works at the two airports he currently heads up.
But it's becoming increasingly unclear whether or not he will hold the post of daa chief executive next year, overseeing the roll-out of those improvements.
Mr Jacobs has now been in the departure lounge for almost two months, following a boardroom rift.
An exit deal was reached between Mr Jacobs and the board of directors of the daa, which operates Dublin Airport and Cork Airport, in mid-September after a mediation process.
The development came just over two-and-a-half years into his seven-year term.
It followed a breakdown in relations between the daa boss and members of the board, which is chaired by Basil Geoghegan, in relation to two protected disclosures against Mr Jacobs and his management style.
Those complaints were not upheld, after being investigated, meaning the chief executive was exonerated, but relations had soured.
It also came just weeks after it was reported the daa chair had written to Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien recommending a higher salary for the CEO.
Under the exit agreement reached, Mr Jacobs, who is continuing to run the daa, is due to leave his role early in the new year.
The package is estimated to be worth in the region of €1 million, given the period of time remaining in Mr Jacobs' contract, who received a total remuneration of €375,000 last year.
The departure deal must be ratified by Minister O’Brien and the Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers. However, almost two months after it was hammered out, the severance package has not yet received any ministerial approval.
It’s believed Minister O’Brien, who is said to be "angered" at the situation being allowed to escalate, is reluctant to sign off on the proposal on his desk, amid concerns such a move could set a precedent
In fact, the minister wrote to the daa board last week urging the two sides to consider further mediation, in a bid to reach a reconciliation. But it’s understood the board pushed back at that suggestion, indicating its position had not changed.
It leaves the matter up in the air.
Speaking at an event in Dublin this week, the Minister for Transport called for the uncertainty to be brought to a conclusion as "expeditiously as possible".
Mr O’Brien said he wants to see "a resolution one way or the other" and "as quickly as possible". He refused to be drawn further on the matter other than to say he has "asked that this situation be brought to a conclusion as expeditiously as possible."
"I'm not going to comment on reports that I've read in the media. All I will say is that I have been engaged with the board on this. I have met with the chairperson and the board. I want to see a resolution one way or the other."
"I know the board, and indeed the chief executive will work towards that, and I want to see that done as quickly as possible," he added.
The minister said the issue is a matter between the chief executive and the board of the daa.
"I'd rather that that be worked through between the board and indeed, the executive in Dublin Airport Authority, which is a very successful state enterprise and a really critical part of our infrastructure, both Cork and Dublin Airport indeed."
"I don't manage the airport in a day-to-day basis. I'm the shareholder on behalf of the country. The airport is operating very well. It's a critical part of our national infrastructure, and there's major developments underway in Dublin Airport too," he added.
One industry source said Mr Jacobs would be "happy to sit down with the board" for further mediation talks and "stay doing the job".
So, the question arises, will the minister give his backing to the board, chaired by Mr Geoghegan, whose term is due to end next June, or to the CEO?
Minister of State for Transport Jerry Buttimer has said he would like to see Kenny Jacobs remain on in his role in the daa and he has urged the board to "get back around the table" and enter into fresh talks with the CEO.
A spokesperson said Minister Buttimer believes that Mr Jacobs "is the right person for the role".
"He has a proven track record in delivery in the private sector and by default, now the somewhat public sector as well."
"We're very lucky to have somebody with Kenny's track record and his private sector mindset, which is focused on delivery in such a critical role."
The spokesperson said that "Minister Buttimer thinks that despite everything that's happened, it's really encouraging that Kenny is still willing to talk."
"In Kenny we have someone with a private sector attitude, that is needed now more than ever. If he’s willing to stay, we should really value that."
Approval of such a package could result in political backlash.
Already, the exit deal has been criticised by opposition parties, with the Social Democrats branding it an "extravagant golden handshake."
The party’s transport spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore said the Minister for Transport must answer questions relating to the proposal.
"The eye-watering sum of money involved in this proposed exit package for Kenny Jacobs is deeply concerning. It is extraordinary that daa should recommend a golden handshake of this scale when its CEO is less than three years into a seven-year term."
Ms Whitmore said taxpayers "need to know why such a large exit package is being proposed in this instance when template contracts for CEOs of semi-State bodies provide for a three-month termination package."
The Social Democrats transport spokesperson said given the significant amount of money involved, "this exit deal could have serious repercussions and set a precedent for other semi-State bodies if signed off by the government."
The Sunday Independent reported last week that an additional complaint had been made against the daa CEO. It’s understood the issue related to comments that were made over a year ago.
While not commenting on any specifics, in response to a query on the matter, a daa spokesperson said it has "established procedures for managing complaints that may arise at any level in the organisation".
"Where complaints do arise daa has a responsibility and a duty of confidentiality to both parties and it would be inappropriate to comment on individual complaints."
The impasse at the top of the daa comes at a demanding time for Dublin Airport and Cork Airport.
The airports are in the run up to the busy Christmas period, which the daa have said will be the busiest ever at both.
The daa has already flagged that it expects more than 36 million passengers to go through Dublin Airport this year, exceeding the 32 million cap, which is currently suspended by the courts, with efforts underway to have the limit lifted.
It has submitted planning two applications to Fingal County Council on increasing passenger capacity, as well as a planning application to enhance the airport’s infrastructure to accommodate the increased numbers.
While Cork Airport is undergoing a €200 million upgrade including a new mezzanine floor.
Mr Jacobs, who previously worked as chief marketing officer at Ryanair, was appointed as Chief Executive of the daa in November 2022, succeeding Dalton Philips.
He previously described his style as an "elbows-out" approach.
The 51-year-old took up the role in January 2023, meaning he has served less than three years of his seven-year term.
Speaking at the time, the daa chair said the new CEO would bring "unique knowledge of aviation and retail businesses".
Basil Geoghegan also said Mr Jacobs’ "leadership, expertise and experience will be vital to our operations at Dublin and Cork airports, in ARI [Aer Rianta International] and in daa International as we embrace the growth opportunities that lie ahead".
Earlier this week, Kenny Jacobs called for the establishment of a strategic transportation planning unit to oversee major infrastructural projects.
He made the comments during a panel discussion at the Business Post's Economic Outlook Forum in Dublin.
And while there was no reference made to the uncertainty over his position, he did say more certainty is needed on who makes planning decisions and the associated timelines.
No doubt he will be hoping for such certainty on the future of his role in the daa.
Airports are used to quick turnarounds, and now such an outcome on Kenny Jacob’s position can’t be ruled out.
