Michael O'Leary's comments about teachers causes problems for Fine Gael
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Outgoing enterprise minister Peter Burke has run into controversy on day one of his general election campaign after Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary took a swipe at teachers at an event.
At the launch of Mr Burke's general election campaign on Saturday evening, Mr O'Leary said: "The Dáil is full of teachers. Nothing wrong with teachers, I love teachers but I wouldn't generally employ a lot of teachers to go out and get things done."
Mr Burke distanced himself from the comments made by the Ryanair boss.
He told RTÉ Radio's This Week on Sunday: "I absolutely do not agree with those comments."
The Ryanair chief was endorsing Mr Burke highlighting his private sector background.
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Mr O'Leary also told those gathered that it is important they transfer votes to the current coalition partner, Fianna Fáil.
Encouraging Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil voters to support each other, Mr O’Leary said the most important thing in the upcoming election is “to weed out the Greens”.
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon called on Mr Burke to state whether he stands over the comments made by Mr O’Leary.
“Under the outgoing government, teachers have often felt like the butt of a joke,” Mr Gannon said on Sunday.
“However, last night’s open mocking was a stark revelation about where Fine Gael’s loyalties lie.”
“Ultimately, it should come as no surprise that Fine Gael would prefer to cosy up to corporate interests than defend the hard work of tens of thousands of teachers all over the country.
“Siding with big business, while eroding public services and showing disdain for public servants, is a core part of their ethos. Michael O’Leary just said the quiet part out loud.”
The Tánaiste has sharply rejected criticism of teachers by the CEO of Ryanair.
Seaking in Clonmel this afternoon, Micheál Martin said that he "100% disagreed" with the billionaire businessman.
"I would 100% disagree with Michael O'Leary in respect to his comments in terms of teachers.
"And as far as I'm concerned, what made modern Ireland was education, and going back to the Donagh O'Malley free second level education system.
"Even to this day, the primary school system in this country is probably one of the best in Europe, with the highest numeracy and literacy rates, and that's because we have high quality teachers who work hard in our primary schools and indeed, in our secondary schools.
"And I've been a long standing supporter and passionate about education, I think the comments should not have been made, and I would reject the implication in those comments, because I think most people observing the Irish education system knows that the foundation stone is very strong because of the quality of teachers and the teaching training courses."
Taoiseach Simon Harris responded to the controversy saying Mr O'Leary's comments were not appropriate and that he has nothing but respect for them.
While canvassing in Galway alongside teacher Hildegarde Naughten, Mr Harris said there are a number of teachers running in the general election and they play an important role in society.
"When it comes to teachers, I think Michael should stick to running Ryanair and let the teachers keep doing the brilliant job that they do in this country," Mr Harris said.
He added that it is also important that Mr O'Leary as "one of the most successful businessmen in Ireland" has given his support to Mr Burke and believes he did a good job as enterprise minister.
"It is worth pointing out that actually Enda Kenny and Michael Noonan, two of the people who helped get this country out of the economic mess that my party inherited, were teachers by profession," said Mr Harris.
When it was put to Mr Harris that Mr Burke did not immediately condemn the comments at the event when they were met with cheers and jeers, Mr Harris said: "Mr Burke has made it very clear that he doesn't agree with those comments in relation to teachers."
In a statement on Sunday, Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) general secretary John Boyle said: "The recent remarks by the CEO of Ryanair at Minister Burke’s General Election campaign launch are both outrageous and deeply insulting to the dedication and hard work of Ireland’s teachers.”
Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) General Secretary Michael Gillespie described the remarks as "extremely offensive and hugely insulting to the profession".
“On a daily basis, teachers carry out extraordinary work across the country in school communities that have been chronically and shamefully underfunded by successive governments. Ahead of the election, political parties and candidates would be much better served communicating to the public how they intend addressing critical issues such as, for example, the teacher recruitment and retention crisis that sees students lose out on subject choices as a result of continuing inaction by our policy-makers.”