O’Leary gets out of jam over taxi

RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary took to the airwaves yesterday to defend using his personal taxi to avoid Dublin traffic jams.

The chief executive of the no-frills airline said he was fully complying with the law.

"I have a taxi," he told Joe Duffy on RTÉ's Liveline show. "Because it's a good investment. I own the car, I own the plate and I operate a taxi as do about 12,000 other people in Ireland.

"It's a black taxi, it's registered in Mullingar, I've a PSV driver who drives it for me and if they want to amend the regulations which says I'm allowed to pick up people in Dublin, I'll be happy to pick up people in Dublin. I'll do it a lot cheaper."

Mr O'Leary said the taxi had a meter and a sign. He offered to give presenter Joe Mr Duffy a lift the next time he was in Mullingar, Co Westmeath. If the

Government brought in regulations stipulating the colour of the taxi, he would comply, he said.

Mr O'Leary thrives on his populist image and is famous for wearing jeans and handling baggage despite being worth €300 million. But he does live in Mullingar and pay taxes, he told Mr Duffy.

"Last time I checked, this was a democratic republic. As long as you pay your taxes which, living in Mullingar as I do, I'm free to do with my money what I like."

But the vice-president of the National Taxi Drivers Union said Mr O'Leary's taxi was morally wrong.

"The licence is a public service vehicle licence it's meant for the public and not for wealthy business people. You've exploited a loophole that's there, but you've done nothing illegal," said Vincent Kearns.

Mr O'Leary shot back: "If they want to change the regulations, I'd be happy to provide you with some low cost competition."

He also laughed off sightings of his taxi in Dublin city centre bus lanes.

"I understand that I've been spotted in Stillorgan last week when I was in America. I was spotted on the Swords road in a gold-coloured taxi this week when I was in Sweden."

He also offered to use his experience with Boeing to help the Government bargain for the Government jet. "Not only would I give them advice, I'd help them in negotiations with Boeing. I'm sure we'd get them a big discount."

"Buzz off," said Mr Duffy, referring to the airline which Ryanair recently took over and is threatening to shut down if staff do not accept new job conditions.