Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien has declined to comment on reported internal tensions at DAA, and stated that operations are a matter for DAA’s board.
Reports claim that CEO Kenny Jacobs considering his future 2.5 years into a seven-year term starting in 2023. Jacobs was appointed chief executive of daa in November 2022, starting his seven-year term in January 2023.
Issues include board disagreements over Dublin Airport’s planning restrictions and Jacobs’ management style. An internal review of staff complaints against Jacobs found no issues, with no ongoing complaint processes.
Jacobs, former Ryanair chief marketing officer, earns €370,000 annually as DAA CEO, managing Dublin and Cork airports.
A Department spokesperson shared: “Operations within state companies are matters for the boards of those companies. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate for the minister or department to comment on such matters.”
A Daa spokesperson shared: “We do not comment on rumour or speculation, and nothing should be inferred from this. Kenny Jacobs is and remains the daa CEO. We cannot comment on Board matters, which are confidential.”
Kenny Jacobs shared in a newspaper interview earlier in the summer: “I would be sticking my elbows out because I think we have taken shit in the past and I think we now need to look after ourselves and do what’s right for our business.”
Asked about the matter, Ryanir CEO Michael O’Leary shared: “I’m not getting sucked in. There’s speculation in the papers about somebody’s position in a semi-state company. I don’t know anything about it and I’m not in a position to comment.”
