Latest news with #O'Leary
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Michael O'Leary criticised for ‘insulting' comments on Dublin metro
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."
RTÉ News
6 hours ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
O'Leary describes Dublin Metrolink as 'a waste of money'
Michael O'Leary, Group Chief Executive of Ryanair Holdings, has described the proposed Metrolink rail service in Dublin - that would also serve Dublin Airport - as a waste of money. He likened the estimated €20 billion cost to "ten children's hospitals" and says the project is "completely uncosted." Mr O'Leary said the Government allocated in the National Development Plan €2bn "for just the tendering process". He said the cost of the 18km project works out at around €1bn per kilometre. "Dublin Airport doesn't need it, Dublin Airport passengers won't use it, they're already well served by buses," he said on RTÉ's Drivetime. He said contrary to popular belief, people using Dublin Airport are all not "going to St Stephen's Green". "90% per cent of the traffic is going to suburban Dublin and down the country. "They're very well served by the existing bus capacity, which counts for about 30% of Dublin's traffic." Mr O'Leary said the Tube in London delivers only 16% of the passenger traffic to Europe's busiest airport, Heathrow, "and the Tube serves all of London". The "massively expensive" Metro, he said, will serve a "narrow corridor from Swords in through the airport in through Glasnevin, serving a couple of hundred thousand people". "And we are wasting billions of taxpayers money on a airport train that nobody is going to use and that we don't need," he said. He claimed that the Government "cannot be trusted," accusing it of already breaking an election promise that it would remove the passenger cap at Dublin Airport. He said no-one is willing to state publicly the likely eventual cost of Metrolink, which Mr O'Leary predicted will "easily exceed €20bn." He also accused Sean Sweeney, the New Zealander who was appointed Project Director of Metrolink last year, of "not knowing what he is talking about." Mr O'Leary said that a twentieth of the money - €100m - would pay for 400 buses which "do the same job" as the Metro, a project he said Ireland "cannot afford."
The Hill
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Hill
Kevin O'Leary on Colbert's Trump attack: ‘Moron!'
'Shark Tank' investor Kevin O'Leary on Tuesday defended President Trump against Stephen Colbert's criticism following CBS's announcement that it would end the 'Late Show' next year. 'Only a moron would tell the president to F off before he gets his check,' O'Leary said during an appearance on CNN's 'NewsNight with Abby Phillip.' Colbert responded to Trump's celebration of his show's end on Monday's episode, after the president said he was glad the comedian was fired and that he has no talent. 'How dare you, sir,' he said. 'Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism: 'Go f‑‑‑ yourself.'' Other late night show hosts have rallied around Colbert as a champion of political commentary mused with punchlines and witty comebacks. However, O'Leary echoed Trump's deteriorating outlook on 'The Late Show' and its ability to resonate with viewers. The businessman said CBS has lost '$46.2 million' on the more than 30-year-old franchise, calling it 'old' and 'dead.' 'People geometrically are not watching late night TV anymore,' O'Leary told Phillip. He predicted the show would be cut sooner than its expected end date in May 2026. 'So, what's gonna happen now, in my opinion, is tomorrow, CBS — his boss — will fire him, and they will litigate for the next five years his payout,' O'Leary said. 'Get rid of this guy! If I were them, I'd whack this guy tomorrow,' he added. Criticism over the network's decision has mounted following the $16 million settlement between its parent company Paramount Global and Trump over a lawsuit against '60 Minutes' after they aired an interview of former Vice President Harris during the 2024 election. While the company said the decision was due to 'financial' reasons, many seem skeptical. Paramount is also looking to secure a merger deal with entertainment company Skydance, which would require Trump administration approval. Colbert became the host of 'The Late Show' in 2015, taking over from previous host David Letterman.
Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Shark Tank's Kevin O'Leary Wants Stephen Colbert To Be Fired: 'Whack Him'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary called on Tuesday for The Late Show host Stephen Colbert to be fired for insulting his employer, days after CBS announced that the show would be canceled in May. Newsweek was not immediately able to contact Stephen Colbert or his publicist for comment. Kevin O'Leary, chairman of O'Leary Ventures, speaks before a Senate Committee on China at a hearing in Washington, D.C., on April 9, 2025. Kevin O'Leary, chairman of O'Leary Ventures, speaks before a Senate Committee on China at a hearing in Washington, D.C., on April 9, It Matters The call by O'Leary in a CNN panel discussion will likely stir an already heated and polarized debate over the cancellation of The Late Show, and could raise new questions about the prospects of Colbert staying on as host for the next 10 months. O'Leary is one of the stars of reality TV show Shark Tank, in which aspiring businesspeople present proposals for money-making projects to a panel of prospective investors. What To Know CBS announced on Thursday that it was cancelling the long-running The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in May 2026 for financial reasons. Days before the announcement, Colbert called out Paramount, the parent company of CBS, over a $16 million settlement with President Donald Trump. This was in connection with an accusation by Trump that 60 Minutes had edited an interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee in last year's presidential election, in a "deceitful" way. The show denied that. Paramount is hoping to merge with Skydance Media, which requires Federal Communications Commission approval under the Trump administration. CBS executives said the cancellation of The Late Show was "not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount." "He's just insulted his bosses," O'Leary told the CNN panel. "Like, what is this guy? Whack him. Whack him." It was not clear what particular Colbert comment O'Leary was referring to when he called for him to be fired. Colbert has not pulled any punches when it comes to mocking Trump since the announcement that his show was ending. On the contrary, he has doubled down on his digs at the president and his connections with the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, saying: "The gloves are off." Colbert has also questioned the CBS assertion that the cancellation of his show was purely the result of a financial decision. "How could it purely be a financial decision if The Late Show is number one in ratings?" he asked on his show. What People Are Saying CNN anchor Abby Phillip, in the discussion about Colbert, said of the comedian: "He does have power in this equation because he knows that he is the public face of this network. Nobody knows who runs CBS, OK? No one knows. But everyone knows Stephen Colbert." Trump, in a post on Truth Social on Friday, said: "I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings." What Happens Next The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is scheduled to disappear from screens in May 2026. In the meantime, more questions could arise about the future of other irreverent late-night talk shows in light of its fate.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary explains why budget airline could make huge change
Michael O'Leary, Group CEO of Ryanair, spoke out about the budget airline's challenges around excess baggage - and the businessman already has plans to tackle these struggles Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary insists the budget airline is "struggling" with excess baggage. The businessman said it is for this reason Ryanair is considering increasing a bonus paid to staff for intercepting excess baggage. Employees currently earn around £1.30 per item for flagging oversized bags, which is capped at £70 per month. However, Mr O'Leary, 64, said this could rise. He believes this will motivate staff - and curb the "scourge" of excess baggage. Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland, Mr O'Leary said: "We're flying largely full flights, about half the passengers can bring two bags and the other half can only bring one - because that's all that fits in the plane. We're already struggling with that amount of baggage." The firm currently allows tourists a small carry-on bag - capped at a size of 40x20x25cm and weight of 10kg - with every ticket. Passengers, though, are charged a fee of up to £65 for bringing luggage which is larger than they paid for while booking their journey. And Mr O'Leary, originally from Kanturk, County Cork, feels staff will be more motivated if their bonus to spot these bags is increased. The father of four continued: "We are happy to incentivise our (staff) with a share of those excess baggage fees, which we think will decline over the coming year or two." The businessman told the TV station summer fares are expected to hover around the same prices as in 2023, but he anticipates an uptick in the airline's profits through "controlling costs". The airline intends to grow, though these plans are understood to have been hampered by delays in aircraft deliveries. This is despite Ryanair recently reported a quarterly net profit of £710million. more than doubling last year's figures, as fares surged 21 per cent. Miguel Muñoz, a flight attendant, previously shared with a nifty loophole, noting that "duty-free bags don't count as carry-on baggage" and are usually overlooked by gate staff. Miguel, a cabin crew member albeit for an unspecified airline, said: "If you have something that doesn't fit in your suitcase or you want to bring an extra bag on board, here's the trick. All you have to do is carry a duty-free bag. Or ask for one at the duty-free shop, and you can place whatever you want in the shopping bag." When our reporter Angela Patrone tried the tip, she was delighted with the results, insisting she was waved through to find her seat without any hassle. Angela, our travel correspondent, added: "This trick was a lifesaver for the extra bag and jacket that I couldn't squeeze into my main luggage."
