Dempsey takes swipe at Ryanair over taxes

TRANSPORT Minister Noel Dempsey yesterday ruled out abolishing the controversial €10 airport departure tax, despite plans by Ryanair to scale down its Dublin and Shannon operations in protest at the tax.

Speaking in Shannon yesterday, Mr Dempsey said: “To be running around the place claiming that the €10 tax is causing the economic downturn is a little bit rich, particularly when you are being charged €30 for a bag going on an airplane.”

Taking a swipe at Ryanair’s own charges, Mr Dempsey said: “I did a booking recently with our low-cost airline that was advertised at €9.99 and it ended costing over €100 — that didn’t include an airport tax.