HRI bonus climb-down - A victory over greed

JUST as Transport Minister Leo Varadkar prevailed in his row with the Dublin Airport Authority over bonuses paid to the DAA chief, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has asserted the Government’s authority in a spat with Horse Racing Ireland over bonuses totalling €37,550 paid to chief executive Brian Kavanagh.

Responding to Irish Examiner reports last week that HRI had sanctioned payment of bonuses in contravention of Government policy, Mr Coveney reacted quickly and over the weekend reached an agreement with Mr Kavanagh that the bonuses be repaid to HRI “immediately” and Mr Kavanagh sign a new contract.

This tough stance is demanded by the depth of the crisis in our public finances. What a pity it is not replicated in so many other areas of public expenditure.