Seanad debates
Wednesday, 2 July 2003
Forfás Consumer Pricing Report 2003: Statements.
In relation to airlines and competition, Ryanair has played a particularly important role. Further to a discussion yesterday on the Order of Business, where I brought to the attention of the House the outrageous attacks by Michael O'Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, on the Taoiseach, the report has been suppressed in The Irish Times today. I am appalled that the editor, Geraldine Kennedy, would suppress a report from this House because I attacked Michael O'Leary. I know there is enormous clout in so far as advertising is concerned. This advertisement in the Irish Independent cost in the region of €50,000. I assure the House that Ryanair shareholders – I am not one – are deeply concerned about the abuse of Mr. O'Leary's power and the spending of money in a wrong fashion. I hope the Revenue Commissioners will not allow this type of advertisement to be charged against the profits of the company. The advertisements being placed in relation to the second terminal at Dublin Airport constitute an appalling attack on the Taoiseach and democracy. The use of bully-boy tactics to try to blackmail the Government into granting the second terminal to Ryanair will not achieve results.
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