Fee bonanza at taxpayers' expense for Celia Larkin

Ken Foxe

» Bertie' Ahern's ex-girlfriend gets €30k for role as board member of National Consumer Agency

Celia Larkin: has missed two out of seven meetings in past year

Hobbs: €38,000 in fees

The ex-girlfriend of former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been paid almost €30,000 in fees and expenses for sitting on the board of the National Consumer Agency – a position she described as "purely voluntary" when she was controversially appointed.

Larkin has earned a total of €29,527 from her role so far, according to figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

She attended only five of the seven NCA board meetings between May 2007 and April 2008.

In total, 12 board members have cost more than €330,000 in expenses and fees. They are believed to be highly likely to face the axe in government cutbacks.

The enormous fees were paid out to members for their work, which involves attending six board meetings per year and helping "review the operations of the agency".

Larkin (49) was appointed to the board in 2005 and is entitled to €14,000 a year in an "annual gross fee", the National Consumer Agency has said. She has claimed almost €4,000 in expenses since her appointment.

TV financial guru Eddie Hobbs, has declined to collect expenses, but has received €38,286 in fees. Hobbs said working for the agency was not like working in "a convent".

One board member, Bill Prasifka – who is now head of the Competition Authority – has declared he will not accept either fees or expenses for his work.

Chairman Steven Costello has earned €48,365.59 for his efforts, which included €11,000 in expenses.

Seven other board members earned around €25,000 each during the past 18 months. They were: Inez Bailey, Director of the National Adult Literacy Agency, Marie Barry Ring, a community activist, Deirdre McDonnell, a businesswoman, Robin O'Sullivan, a former journalist and owner of O'Sullivan PR, Alex Schuster, a lecturer and barrister, and Ed Shinnick, an Economics lecturer at University College Cork.

The chief executive of the NCA Ann Fitzgerald is paid €182,333 a year, despite having overall control of a budget of just €10 million.

Thomas Bourke, Secretary to the Board of the Agency, said: "The rate of fees paid to NCA Board members are as approved by the Department of Finance and the expenses are in line with standard civil service rates."

However, it had been widely believed the members were working for free as when Celia Larkin joined the Agency, she said: "This is a purely voluntary position and that needs to be pointed out."

Larkin was unavailable for comment when contacted by the Sunday Tribune.

August 24, 2008

Comments

#1 Colette commented, on August 24, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.:

I'd love to be able to muster some kind of outrage but I'm too jaded from these kind of stories...I suppose she needs the money to buy rig-outs for Tribunal appearances - or for legal fees

#2 Shark Trager commented, on August 24, 2008 at 12:38 a.m.:

What qualifies her for that position? The sooner these quangos are gated the better.Shame on all their useless heads.

#3 Terry Adams commented, on August 24, 2008 at 4:50 a.m.:

About time people stopped voting for politicians who appoint relatives, girlfriends, boyfriends, cousins etc to these bodies. You get the politicians you deserve. The old founders of Fianna Fail are not just turning in their graves they are spinning.

#4 Joey commented, on August 24, 2008 at 9:46 a.m.:

I wrote to the NCA complaining about being overcharged.They just sent me a standard reply,no follow up. Nothing! I don't know what happened. After that I was charged twice the advertised price for an item in a store. I never informed the NCA. Why should I? What sickens me is to see them advertising on TV and costing us a couple of thousand per slot. At a time when many people are losing their jobs. Could these people Wake Up!

#5 Brin O commented, on August 24, 2008 at 9:46 a.m.:

Plus ca change ...

#6 Cynical commented, on August 24, 2008 at 9:50 a.m.:

The electorate will still turn around and reward these people by voting FF back into power. The idea of no alternative which is the usual cry doesn't add up. FG and co are similar in outlook. Leaving the one party in charge for so long allows this type of behaviour as the cronies in FF believe they are untouchable. This is the peoples fault for not changing government every five years. Larkin and co will do this if they think they can get away with it.

#7 Alan commented, on August 24, 2008 at 1:22 p.m.:

Fianna Fail are like the Zanu PF - they have been in power practically since the founding of the State. It is a corrupt self-serving party put there by its supporters who in turn get favours back from the people they elect. It is simple really. And as long as you understand this and do not expect anything for non Fianna Failers then you will not get annoyed at things like this.

#8 Stan commented, on August 24, 2008 at 5:41 p.m.:

I informed the NCA about a filling station charging 18 cents more at the pumps than advertized on display. The reply was, this trader CAN be fined 3000euro for the offenc. CAN be fined? Needless to say nothing was done.

#9 ian commented, on August 24, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.:

What? Poor Celia went through a relationship with Bertie and only get's 30k? My price would have been much higher ;-)

#10 Peter commented, on August 24, 2008 at 8:07 p.m.:

Don't blame these guys for taking the loot. It's on a plate for those in the know.
Wouldn't you?

#11 Kieran commented, on August 25, 2008 at 12:17 a.m.:

The NCA is obviously a thoroughly bloated institution. The consumer is often better served by Joe Duffy's Liveline..

#12 Philip commented, on August 25, 2008 at 8:56 p.m.:

Anyone for a tribunal? The difference with this one is we can have it run by a focus group. It will be much cheaper and just as ineffective.

#13 Emmet commented, on August 27, 2008 at 11:51 a.m.:

For years now the only ones working for consumers are the Consumers Association. But they are underfunded and kept down by the government who know that they can control the NCA. Waste of money to an inactive agency - yes. Answer - fund the Dermot jewel and the Consumer Association who are not afraid to speak out.