Ryanair boss O'Leary denies anti-Green international agenda in spat with Minister Ryan over Dublin Airport

Eamon Ryan joins a long list of Government ministers to clash with the airline chief

In pointed attacks on the Green Party ministers, Michael O'Leary told reporters he wants the Government to back emergency legislation to recognise Dublin Airport as “a piece of national infrastructure”. Picture: Press Association

Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary said he wants Green Party ministers Eamon Ryan and Catherine Martin to rush through emergency legislation to lift a passenger cap at Dublin Airport, but has denied he is engaging in an international anti-green agenda in the now long running spat over the future of the airport.

Mr O’Leary is pressing on with a campaign over the lifting of the planning restriction that puts an annual cap of 32 million people who can use the airport. The Dublin and Cork operator, the Daa, has also pressed Fingal County Council, the local authority responsible for planning decisions in north Dublin, on the basis that the airport is a key gateway for prosperity and jobs across the island.