Michael O'Leary criticised for ‘insulting' comments on Dublin metro
Michael O'Leary said the plan had not been properly costed (Brian Lawless/PA)
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has been criticised for his "insulting" comments on a metro for Dublin, which he called a "waste" of taxpayer money.
The 18.8km rail line, most of which will be underground, is to run from north of Swords to Charlemont in the south of Dublin city centre.
Various metro projects for the capital have been proposed in recent decades but none have proceeded to build stage.
On Tuesday, the Government announced that the MetroLink project would get a €2bn boost in funding as part of the national development plan, in what Taoiseach Micheal Martin said was "a very definitive commitment to the metro".
While Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe indicated the latest estimated cost for the MetroLink was 11 billion euro, Mr O'Leary claimed it would cost 20 billion euro, "so about a billion a kilometre".
"Dublin Airport doesn't need it, Dublin Airport passengers won't use it - they're already well-served by buses," he told RTÉ Radio on Wednesday, while claiming that less than a third of the airport's passengers use buses.
He said that while the tube in London runs from Heathrow and through "all of London", the Metro will only serve a section of Dublin city's residents - around 100,000 people, he claimed.
"Here's the madness of this. This thing is going to start at Stephen's Green in the morning. If you want to get to our first wave of departures, which leave at about 6.30 in the morning, you need to be at the airport at 5.30am.
"Are you seriously going to drive into the centre of Stephen's Green, where there's no car parking, to get this metro to get to Dublin Airport for 5.30 in the morning? No, you're not.
"Let me give you the alternative scenario: for €100m, this year we could buy 400 buses, and 400 buses would provide exactly the same capacity as this metro from Dublin Airport, in through Ballymun, in through Drumcondra, on bus lanes that already exist."
He claimed the plan had not been properly costed and hit out at the Government's handling of public finances.
"This Government wasted €330,000 on a bike shed, imagine what they do with an 18-kilometre underground train from an airport?"
He also criticised comments by Mr Martin, who said the Irish capital will not be sustainable without a metro.
"Does he not understand that the buses actually will all be electrified by the end of this decade, which will actually be greener than light rail?"
Labour TD Duncan Smith said Mr O'Leary's criticisms of public infrastructure were as sure "as night follows day".
"Dubliners are stuck in daily gridlock. MetroLink is their best chance at affordable, reliable transport that serves communities, not corporate profits.
"As a consistent advocate for MetroLink in Swords, I find it insulting to hear this kind of drive-by commentary from someone who clearly doesn't rely on public transport to get to work.
"Dublin deserves better than a transport plan from a billionaire whose only experience with buses is when he is pretending to be one."
When asked about his endorsement of Enterprise Minister Peter Burke and junior minister Robert Troy during the general election campaign, Mr O'Leary claimed "they're not in government" and criticised Mr Martin again.
"I endorsed Peter Burke, who actually topped the poll despite the criticism. I also endorsed Robert Troy - and they're not the government."
Michael O'Leary said the plan had not been properly costed (Brian Lawless/PA)
News in 90 Seconds - July 23rd
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
40 minutes ago
- The Journal
Group of US politicians express concern over proposed Irish trade ban with Israeli settlements
A GROUP OF US politicians have urged the US treasury secretary Scott Bessent to examine if the Irish Government's proposed ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine would breach American anti-boycott laws. Sixteen US congress members have signed a letter calling for the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Prohibition of Importation of Goods) Bill 2025, which seeks to ban the trade of goods between Ireland and Israeli settlements, to be investigated. Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, for New York, is leading the group of politicians. The letter references the US anti-boycott laws, which seek to oppose boycotts against America and its allies. Should the US find the Irish ban constitutes a 'foreign boycott', America may take action to counteract the ban and include Ireland on a purported 'boycott list', potentially suspending future US business deals in Dublin and elsewhere. The Irish government has been aware for a number of years that the anti-boycott movement in the US, made up of a number of American politicians, would take issue with the Occupied Territories Bill. The group's letter reads: 'This measure is part of a broader effort aligned with the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to economically isolate Israel. 'Such policies not only promote economic discrimination but also create legal uncertainty for U.S. companies operating in Ireland.' It added that the Irish ban on trade between illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine would 'not only promote economic discrimination but also create legal uncertainty for US companies operating in Ireland'. Advertisement It added: 'We encourage the Treasury Department to assess whether Ireland's proposal indicate that they require or may require participation in or encouragement of an international boycott within the meaning of [US anti-boycott mechanisms].' Speaking to The Journal prior to the general election in November, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the US embassy have previously expressed concern over the ban, but that Ireland was clear in its position on the matter. He said: 'I had already made the decision, prior to that communication. I was aware of that it's not a new concern [from the US]. That's been there a long time. 'It's not a surprise that the US Embassy would communicate that, they communicated that five or six years ago, and that's been a standard position. 'Our position is that it relates to the Occupied Territories, not to Israel. And that might be a point of difference in the US, because, in the US, people might look at it differently – but we have a very clear view of it here.' Politicians on the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee last month recommended that trade of services should be included in the law. Chairperson of the committee, Fianna Fáil's John Lahart, said while the Bill has been described as largely symbolic, it remains 'important'. He added that Ireland's reputation has been tarnished by some , stating that there have been smears and lies said about the country due to the position it has taken on this piece of legislation. With reporting by Christina Finn Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
US Congress members call for Ireland to be added to list of countries boycotting Israel if OTB passed
The letter, signed by New York Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and supported by a group of 16 congressmen and women, states "serious concerns" regarding the Government's proposal to prohibit the import of goods from Israeli-occupied territories. It references Section 999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which opposes 'foreign boycotts against friendly nations, particularly those aimed at Israel'. If Ireland was to be added to the list of countries which boycott Israel, it would impose specific tax reporting requirements and potential penalties for US individuals and businesses engaged in certain activities in those countries, the letter said. The group describe the work of the Irish government on the OTB as 'part of broader effort aligned with the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement which seeks to economically isolate Israel'. The letter said: 'Last month, Irish Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Simon Harris introduced legislation to prohibit the import of goods and services originating from territories under Israeli administration that they characterize as 'occupied,' including Judea and Samaria, Gaza, parts of Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. 'This measure is part of a broader effort aligned with the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to economically isolate Israel. Such policies not only promote economic discrimination but also create legal uncertainty for U.S. companies operating in Ireland. 'We encourage the Treasury Department to assess whether Ireland's proposal indicate that they require or may require participation in or encouragement of an international boycott within the meaning of Section 999(a)(3). If the criteria are met, Ireland should be added to the boycott list to ensure that U.S. companies are informed of their reporting obligations and protected from unintended legal exposure. 'The United States must send a clear signal that efforts to economically isolate Israel will carry consequences, and that U.S. law designed to combat such discrimination will be enforced. 'We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.' In June Tánaiste Simon Harris outlined the OTB to cabinet after which a cross-party Oireachtas foreign affairs committee examined proposals and penned a pre-legislative scrutiny report on the bill. Mr Harris said Ireland is the only country to publish legislation to ban imports from the occupied Palestinian territories, saying it is 'pretty lonely out there', adding it would be 'a hell of a lot better' if Europe moved together on it. 'This is an important measure, because we are speaking up and speaking out on behalf of the people of Ireland in relation to this genocidal activity,' said Mr Harris. 'But, of course, I actually think and hope that the real benefit of publishing this legislation will be that it may inspire other countries to do likewise, because it's important that every country uses every lever at its disposal. 'Our own domestic legislation comes against a backdrop of two important developments in Europe. 'Firstly, we saw for the very first time a review concluded of the Association Agreement, which told us what we already knew, but stated it very clearly that Israel is in breach of its human rights obligations. 'Secondly, Ireland joined with nine other European countries in calling on the European Commission to now review the EU's obligations under the ICJ advisory opinion. 'I don't believe the European Union is in compliance with its obligations under the ICJ advisory opinion. We now want to see Europe legally review whether it's right to have trade in goods or services at an EU level with the occupied Palestinian territories.' In July the chair to the Foreign Affairs Committee John Lahart said Ireland has been 'smeared' and 'bullied' over its stance on Gaza and the Occupied Territories Bill. The Fianna Fáil TD was speaking at the launch of the report by the committee on the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Occupied Territories Bill. 'Ireland's reputation has been traduced internationally. We've been smeared as a country, lied about. Those things need to be confronted,' Mr Lahart said. 'There is a recommendation that resources be invested to ensure that this, the reasons and the objectives behind the bill, are communicated properly and that we don't suffer or experience this reputation again,' he added. While Mr Lahart said some have said the passing of this bill would be symbolic, the goal of the legislation was to put pressure on the Israeli government. The report, produced by the committee, 'strongly' advised that the bill would include services as well as goods. Simon Harris has indicated that the bill is likely to go before the Dáil and Seanad in early autumn. If passed the bill would lead to Ireland being added to a list of countries which implement an "unsanctioned international boycott".
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
US politicians lobby Trump to penalise Ireland if it passes Occupied Territories Bill
Members of the US Congress have written to the Trump administration asking that Ireland faces penalties if the Occupied Territories Bill boycotting Israel passes through the Oireachtas. The bill will ban the trade of goods with illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land. The Government said there is a narrow legal basis, based on an advisory opinion from the UN's top court, to ban the trade of goods with illegal Israeli settlements. The Government has said this is being done to comply with the International Court of Justice, which said last year that countries should "take steps to prevent trade or investment relations" that maintain illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land. US anti-boycott law On Thursday, New York congresswoman Claudia Tenney, along with 15 other lawmakers, wrote to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asking that he investigate whether Ireland's proposed law violates US anti-boycott law. The letter urges the Department of the Treasury to conduct a formal review under Section 999 of the Internal Revenue Code and consider adding Ireland to the list of countries that require or may require participation in international boycotts against the US or its allies. If added to the list, there is the potential that American citizens or businesses in Ireland would be subject to additional tax reporting rules. In a statement, Ms Tenney said that the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement was "anti-Israel" and would "economically isolate America's closest ally in the Middle East". She said the Irish legislation "aligns with the global BDS movement, which seeks to delegitimise Israel and create legal uncertainty for US companies operating abroad". Ireland's proposed boycott is a blatant attempt to isolate and delegitimise Israel on the world stage. "This proposed boycott is discriminatory, dangerous, and would violate US law. "The Treasury Department has the duty to enforce the law, protect American businesses, and hold countries accountable when they promote foreign boycotts against our allies. The US will not stay silent while our allies are targeted by hostile political agendas,' said Ms Tenney.
