Michael O'Leary criticises Taoiseach again over passenger cap and China visit

James Cox

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has doubled down on his criticism of Taoiseach Micheál Martin over his China trip and the Dublin Airport passenger cap.

In a wide-ranging, and expletive-laden, interview with the Irish Independent last week, Mr O'Leary expressed frustration with the Government.

While the Government has introduced legislation aimed at removing the 32 million passenger cap, Mr O'Leary expressed his doubts, and was critical of responses he has received from Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien.

On Monday, Mr O'Leary once again took aim at "Taoiseach Micheál 'Marco Polo' Martin" urging him "to stop wasting time getting his photo taken, and instead deliver on his year-old Government Programme, which promised to scrap the Dublin Airport cap 'as soon as possible'."

Mr O'Leary said: "Micheál 'Marco Polo' Martin claims his overseas tours deliver jobs - they don’t. All they deliver is more photos of Micheál Martin glad handing world leaders, while nothing is done at home about real job creation, despite his Government's 20-seat majority."

Mr O'Leary then referenced a Sunday Independent poll which showed 66 per cent of readers in favour of scrapping the Dublin Airport passenger cap.

"Micheál 'Marco Polo' Martin promised to scrap this cap 'as soon as possible', yet 12 months later nothing has been done. He's too busy travelling the world getting his photo taken, while failing to deliver his Government Programme here at home. It's time for Micheál Martin to stop touring and start delivering, and a good place to start would be scrapping the illegal Dublin Airport cap before the end of January 2026.

"This will enable the airlines, led by Ryanair and US airlines, to add routes, services, and new jobs for summer 2026, and this might open up even more overseas travel opportunities for 'Marco Polo' Martin.

"January 2026 is the time for this 'Do Nothing' Taoiseach to deliver on his Programme for Government, and scrap the cap before the end of January, which would be 12 months after his Government with a 20-seat majority, promised to scrap it 'as soon as possible'."

Mr Martin's five-day state visit to China started on Sunday.