FAI's need for Hill attendance was catalyst for payments controversy, statement claims

The FAI have informed an Oireachtas committee ahead of a hearing on Wednesday that Jonathan Hill carried over untaken holidays because his attendance was required during 2022.

Discrepancies in the chief executive’s remuneration – specifically payment for untaken holidays against company policy and unpaid benefit in kind tax on travel expenses – were uncovered by a Sport Ireland-commissioned audit over the summer.

Since the FAI were bailed by the Government in early 2020, triggering €27m of funding to date, they’ve been subject to a set of compliance conditions under what’s known as the Memorandum of Understanding.

The audit by KOSI concluded a breach of MOU terms by paying Hill more than the maximum package set out, which is linked to that of a senior civil servant. Outgoing independent Chairman Roy Barrett confirmed during Saturday’s AGM that he took it upon himself to approve the extra perk without consulting his other board members/ Hill has apologised unreservedly for the issues but continues to ship an avalanche of flak from his staff. The union representing employees, SIPTU, suggested his actions constituted gross misconduct.

Exceptional circumstances were cited in his message to staff and details around this are contained in the documents lodged.

“Payment to the CEO in lieu of untaken annual leave in 2022 was made by FAI due to exceptional circumstances (in that it was not possible for the CEO to avail of his annual leave entitlements due to knock-on effects of the Covid pandemic and requirements of the FAI in terms of his attendance), and as a one-off payment,” read the relevant paragraph of the FAI's statement, which has been seen by the Irish Examiner.

Although the FAI were due before the Tourism,