'Gifts' to Aer Rianta board may be probed

Claims Aer Rianta board members were given gifts of watches worth €9,000 may be probed by a corporate watchdog, it emerged today.

Paul Appleby, Director of Corporate Enforcement, said if it was suspected that company law had been breached an investigation would be launched.

Reports claimed Noel Hanlon, former Aer Rianta chairman, gave himself and four retiring board members watches valued at €9,000 each. It was also alleged they were paid for out of Aer Rianta funds.

Mr Appleby said his office had been contacted by Progressive Democrat Senator Tom Morrissey, and a full investigation would be launched if a formal complaint was received.

“Senator Morrissey was advised to make a formal complaint if he had issues or concerns that he wanted to bring to our attention,” Mr Appleby said.

The PD Senator claimed the presents were a “gross abuse of public funds” and called for an immediate investigation.

“I am demanding to know if this action by the Chairman of the Aer Rianta Board is in compliance with Department of Finance procedures governing semi-state bodies,” Senator Morrissey said.

“In the public interest and as a matter of self-respect, I am calling on those people who received these watches to hand them back, and disassociate themselves from this outrageous behaviour.”

A spokesman for Mr Hanlon said the watches were intended as “appropriate recognition of the exceptional contribution” made by the board members.

The entire board of Aer Rianta were put out of office last week and replaced by the Dublin Airport Authority. Most of the members left empty-handed.

Mr Appleby added it was not clear if company law had been breached but the matter would be looked at if necessary.

“We would look at the substance of complaint and see if there is a company law issue which would require our interest or intervention,” Mr Appleby said.

“We will look at it and see, and examine if there is an issue in relation to our remit.”