AFTER FIVE years as chairman, Gary McGann disembarked this week from the Dublin Airport Authority, with a large nudge from Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey.
McGann’s membership of Anglo Irish’s board and the revelations from the scandalised bank made it difficult for him to continue with the State-owned group.
It now remains to be seen who will replace McGann, who this week said he would work with the department to “effect a smooth transition” but gave no date for his departure.
DAA’s board meets on March 9th but it is not clear if McGann will attend. A source close to the Minister said that there were “no names in the pot” to replace McGann.
We can’t imagine there will be a long queue of people for the role. For one thing, McGann earned just €17,000 a year as DAA chair.
His successor will have to face up to a sharp decline in passenger numbers and revenues this year, as recession bites.
That’s to say nothing about Ryanair, the DAA’s most vocal critic. Barely a week goes by when Ryanair isn’t taking a swipe at the airport manager. Why would any sane executive want to put themselves in the line of Michael O’Leary’s incessant fire?
Former DAA board member Colm Barrington might have been a candidate but he took flight for Aer Lingus last September.
Barrington was replaced by Peter Barrett, chief executive of Dublin-based RBS Aviation Capital, which is reportedly for sale as part of a major restructuring of Royal Bank of Scotland.
How about millionaire wheeler dealer and DAA board member Bill Cullen? He’d certainly give Michael O’Leary a run for his money, not to mention the department. You’re hired.
