Ryanair boss demands apology of Rochdale MEP

Date published: 29 November 2007

The boss of Europe's most profitable airline, Michael O’Leary, is demanding that Rochdale MEP Chris Davies apologises for alleging that he does "not give a toss for the environment."

The Ryanair chief executive is not known for his sensitivity.  He is on record as saying "I don't give a shite if nobody likes me." (Guardian - 24 June 2005), and for describing environmentalists as "half-witted loons who can't add two and two." (Independent - 7 October 2006).

But a claim by Mr Davies that "he does not give a toss for the environment so long as he can stuff his pockets and those of his company full of gold," has struck a raw nerve.

The Euro-MP, who is the Liberal Democrats' environment spokesman, made his comments during a parliamentary debate on combating climate change by including aviation within the EU's emissions trading scheme.

He called for adoption of the principle that the polluter should pay, and argued that the airline industry needed to invest in emission abatement measures.

Although aircraft currently produce only 3% of Europe's C02 emissions the sector expects to double passenger numbers within the next ten years.

In a letter, Michael O'Leary, said now to be worth €288m, accuses the MEP of abusing the good name and reputation of Ryanair and demands a retraction.

He says that,  "Ryanair is Europe's greenest airline, with the industry's lowest fuel burn and emissions per passenger kilometre."

But Chris Davies has refused to apologise to Mr O'Leary, who he says has described the emission trading scheme as "horseshit" (Guardian - 2 November 2007).

"I never realised that Michael O’Leary was such a sensitive soul," said the MEP.  But as he has poured so much scorn on environmentalists in the past I am delighted if he wants now to be considered a tree hugger himself.

"Ryanair has shown that profit maximisation and enhanced environmental performance can go hand in hand, but Michael O'Leary's outbursts in the past have increased the difficulties faced by politicians in trying to take steps to combat global warming."