Regarding the IAA
They are, and always have been seen as the downtown office of the airlines. Ryanair, amongst others, has brought substantial earnings to the IAA. The IAA are not in the habit of biting the hand that feeds it - quite the contrary. As for the money we as pilots pay the IAA, its small fry in comparison. Ireland is to aviation what Panama is to shipping - a flag of convenience, where the appropiate paperwork is issued for the relevent fee. As for policing regulations or practices, the situation is all too clear.
So get used to it. The IAA are a comercial entity where earnings are paramount.