Government must assert its authority

JUST last month, as EU leaders met in emergency session to try to stave off the collapse of Italy’s economy, Brian Kavanagh, the chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), was paid the balance of bonuses for 2008 and 2009.

The figures were €21,089 and €16,461 respectively, finalising bonus packages totalling €65,000 and €57,000. These bonuses were in addition to an annual salary close to €190,000.

In both of these years, Mr Kavanagh’s package surpassed that of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who earns a comparatively modest €228,000 each year.

The Department of Finance, in line with Government policy, opposed these payments and described them as “outrageous”.

However, the board of HRI, exercising the sense of entitlement that has become a cancer in this country, felt free to wave away this objection and sanction the payments. Not only that, but because Mr Kavanagh knew that bonuses would not be paid in subsequent years — again in line with Government policy — the board reversed an earlier 15% pay cut.

Not only did this decision give two fingers to the Department of Finance, it also gave two fingers to everyone in this society struggling to come to terms with a flat-lining economy.

It showed, just as Transport Minister Leo Varadkar’s recent standoff with the Dublin Airport Authority on the very same issue did, that some of those entrusted with government funding imagine themselves immune from the crisis casting a shadow over nearly everyone in this society. It’s not quite let-them-eat-cake contempt for ordinary people, but it’s getting there.

It is well past time to cry enough, to cry halt, on these excesses and for our Government to assert its authority. It must impose the conditions and culture we are all expected to embrace, whether we like it or not, on these dependent organisations. And if the relevant executives find that too trying, then let them offer the skills they value so highly on the open market and see how they get on.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney must, as must any other minister so challenged, order that the decision be reversed, the money paid back, and if it is not he must sanction the board in the most effective and simple way.

This relatively minor evasion of responsibility highlights again our suicidal aversion to the idea. It also highlights the widespread belief that the solution to our economic crisis is in someone else’s pocket. This destructive, wishful thinking operates on so many levels.

This week’s poor results achieved in Leaving Certificate higher-level maths and science highlighted the fantasy of a future knowledge-based economy, or at least one run by Irish people. Of course, we are assured, these unsatisfactory results have nothing to do with the fact that around half of the teachers teaching maths have no primary qualification in the subject.

We can continue to cod ourselves but our new paymasters, when we try to explain to them that the person in charge of horse racing on this small island should be paid more than the leader of the EU’s largest economy, will be far less delusional.