Taoiseach and Tánaiste clash over Michael O'Leary’s role in Fine Gael campaign event

Taoiseach Simon Harris said Michael O’Leary’s comments about teachers were 'crass' and he is 'annoyed' at them

Simon Harris's party has worked to distance itself from comments the CEO of Ryanair made about teachers. Picture: PA

The Taoiseach has denied that there was any conflict of interest in the attendance of Michael O'Leary at the campaign launch of a Fine Gael Minister, but the Tánaiste says the issue underlines a difference in "ethos" between the two lead coalition parties.

Simon Harris's party has worked to distance itself from comments the CEO of Ryanair made about teachers, with Mr Harris saying they were "crass" and that the crowd shown on video laughing at them was "also wrong," but he denied there is any impropriety in the attendance of Mr O'Leary at Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke's campaign launch.