Mr Philips never owned the car and the DAA disposed of it after he left last year to become Greencore chief executive. This left the airport company with a net cost of €57,000.
Since Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan took office in 2020 his department has insisted that any new car provided to State company or agency executives as part of their terms and conditions be an electric vehicle. Electric vehicle ownership was low in the Republic in 2019 as there were few charging points countrywide.The former DAA chief executive commuted from rural Co Wicklow daily, while he travelled regularly to Cork Airport which the company also runs — a round trip of some 600km.
Current DAA executive Kenny Jacobs drives an electric Mercedes which the company has leased, confirmed the airports group on Wednesday.