Simon Harris calls Michael O’Leary’s teacher comments ‘crass and ill informed’ - The Ryanair boss had said he would not hire teachers to get things done, at a Fine Gael event at the weekend.

Mr O’Leary doubled down on the comments on Monday morning, repeating his claim that there are “too many” teachers in the Dáil. He said he was making a “serious” point about the need for more diversity and that there was a need for more business owners to become TDs.

Use precise geolocation data. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Store and/or access information on a device. Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of Partners (vendors)

It’s unclear what Fine Gael Longford-Westmeath candidate Peter Burke expected when he got Michael O’Leary to speak on his behalf at a function over the weekend. However, where the Ryanair boss goes, controversy usually follows and Fine Gael have found them trying to distance themselves from comments made about teachers.

The Taoiseach has distanced his party from a jibe against teachers by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary as he spoke at a campaign event in support of a Fine Gael minister.

Michael O'Leary took a swipe at teachers at the launch of Peter Burke's general election campaign on Saturday evening

FINE GAEL MINISTER Peter Burke has distanced himself from comments made by Michael O’Leary about teachers after the Social Democrats demanded he clarify his stance. The Ryanair boss gave a resounding endorsement to the Fine Gael Westmeath candidate at a campaign event last night and encouraged the public to transfer votes between Burke’s party and Fianna Fáil.

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary’s endorsement of Fine Gael was “offensive” to teachers, a Fianna Fáil minister has said. It comes after the airline chief announced his support for a Fine Gael candidate in the General Election,