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Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary compares unemployment crisis to the Famine

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Sunday, January 22, 2012, 8:18 AM

Updated Sunday, January 22, 2012, 8:18 AM

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Ryanair's Michael O'Leary

Photo by AP

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has claimed it’s not his fault he is always right – after backing Finance Minister Michael Noonan’s claims that emigration is a lifestyle choice.

The hugely successful businessman also made a bizarre reference to Irish history when he said: “Jaysus, it is like the Famine all over again.”

O’Leary inflated his own ego and hit the headlines when he handed over a cheque for almost $130,000, proceeds from the recent Ryanair calendar, to the DEBRA charity.

Asked to comment on calls for Minister Noonan to apologize for his emigration remark, O’Leary proceeded to back the beleaguered Fine Gael politician.

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“Michael Noonan is dead right, except, politically, it is not f**king acceptable. I went abroad for a year. Most people I know went abroad,” claimed O’Leary.

“This idea that emigration is like getting on a potato ship in 1845, never to be seen again, is bullshit. They are all coming home at Christmas and at Easter.

“We don’t have any God-given right to have a job here in Ireland. There is a great opportunity, particularly for young people, to go abroad for a couple of years. It is their choice whether or not they want to come back.”

O’Leary then slammed those who moan about the current levels of unemployment in Ireland.

He added: “Jaysus, it is like the Famine all over again. I see nothing wrong with emigration if it means people who would be unemployed and miserable here in Ireland can go and get a job, whether it is in the UK, US or Australia, at least then they will have the freedom to choose whether they stay abroad or come back.

“It is being stuck here unemployed and drawing the f**king dole that devastates people.”

Emigration, he said, is irrelevant to Ryanair as only 10% of its business comes from Ireland.

Asked about the government’s refusal to listen to his demands on the aviation and tourism industries, O’Leary claimed he is always right even when they ignore him.

“Why should I get fed up? We’re still growing; we’re still expanding; we’re still the world’s most successful airline... If the Government doesn’t listen, the growth goes elsewhere. It’s not my fault I am always right,” he said.

DEBRA Ireland will utilise the Ryanair charity calendar donation to enable families throughout Europe with children suffering from the debilitating skin condition epidermolysis bullosa to enjoy a respite week in specially adapted holiday accommodation in Malaga, Spain.

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Curitiba | Jan 24, 2012, 05:47 PM EST

I believe we may well be on the same page, George. You highlight some very important issues.

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Marcella | Jan 23, 2012, 10:02 PM EST

Nothing is straight forward when dealing with people, business and politics. GeorgeDillon - 'tir gan teanga, tir gan anam' Yes??!! Of course getting beyond mandated language aquisition to an embracing of it is one challenge - but I understand your statement and belief. What can be done to strengthen the ties between bilingual/Irish first and employment? And IrelandNorth - if more people saw the slights of hand(O Laoire is famous for) and just ignored them maybe more effort and energy could go to what is essential and or matters. There are no easy 'sound bite' answers to issues of employment and emigration. Can the powers that be, be convinced of that?!

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butlerreport | Jan 23, 2012, 11:27 AM EST

O'Leary is 100% correct. If you want a job you may need to move elsewhere. That's what the rest of the world does.

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joycean | Jan 23, 2012, 09:13 AM EST

I admire O'Leary for his choice of charity.Epidermolysis bullosa is a terrible desease. People with the desease have very fragile skin that tears easily and can cause great pain, deformity, and suffering. It is genetic. In the US, about 1 in 50,000 births; in the UK 1 in 17,000 births.

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IrelandNorth | Jan 23, 2012, 07:49 AM EST

Michael O'Leary/Micheal O Laoire is well aware of the commercial reality that the only bad publcity is no publicity at all. He's a master stroker at courting controversy by politically incorrect statements. Is donating money to charity from sales of a sexy calendar of scantily-clad attractive female airline assistants not morally dubious.

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GeorgeDillon | Jan 23, 2012, 04:59 AM EST

Curitiba: I suspect you and I are on the same page. Still, the question has to be posed: Why flight not fight on the part of young people in Ireland? There are countless reasons why I lament the loss of the Irish language, but here's a new one: If the Irish spoke Irish they'd be much less likely to emigrate. Their bond with their homeland would be much more intimate. Being English-speaking makes them regard other anglophone countries as if they were just other neighborhoods in Ireland. And of course the fact that Ireland is English-speaking is a big attraction for foreign migrants to settle the country. If they had to learn Irish to survive in Ireland a lot of them would change their travel plans.

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Curitiba | Jan 23, 2012, 02:17 AM EST

Because they're not willing to accept slave wages and sleep 10 to a room, George. Plus they have been demonised as workshy and lazy by the pro-population replacement press.

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GeorgeDillon | Jan 22, 2012, 08:18 PM EST

As usual, O'Leary is exaggerating. If there's so much unemployment how come thousands of foreign migrants arrive in Ireland every month? And while a lot of them are welfare spongers, a good number find jobs, often two jobs to one person. So how come the Irish can't find work in their own country?

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Druidman | Jan 22, 2012, 08:04 PM EST

Eh....This lad pops his mouth off at any given opportunity in order to gain free publicity for his Airline. Most Irish people know his style and are aware of his game with the media and how he will not miss a chance to exploit any controversial issue that has the slightest relevance to his business. This lad stirs the poo to gain airtime , sound bytes etc etc Those who fall for his crap are sheep who know nothing of marketing ploys in business. Ignore this mouthy self centered eejit!

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Curitiba | Jan 22, 2012, 06:04 PM EST

“It is being stuck here unemployed and drawing the f**king dole that devastates people.” Well if I was drawing unemployment benefit of €200 a week and housing benefit or living with mammy I wouldn't be too devastated. Beats the hell out of working for a living! They should try living on £65 a week here in the UK. (I am gainfully employed, by the way. I just happen to know these figures)

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LoyalCitizen | Jan 22, 2012, 03:36 PM EST

Michael O’Leary has never been successful........He inherited his position from his father since has manipulated retarded Irish Politicians into get more from the tax system than customers..........Get rid of ridiculous tax systems and week minded politicians and then see if he can be successful.

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haasny007 | Jan 22, 2012, 10:18 AM EST

This guy has a huge ego and doesn't come across as a likable person, but he is right on Irish emigration.

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