Dempsey cronyism claim on airport boards decision

SIPTU has accused Transport Minister Noel Dempsey of political cronyism for refusing to consolidate the boards of the country’s three main airports run by the Dublin Airport Authority into one — even though the DAA is looking for €40 million in cost savings.

The trade union’s civil aviation branch said it had received a letter from Mr Dempsey indicating that he intends to press ahead with the appointment of three boards to run the DAA.

Branch spokesman Dermot O’Loughlin said the minister’s decision means there will be 31 board members running the three airports, at Dublin, Shannon and Cork.