O’Leary’s antics win no political favours — but that’s not his aim

THE person most disappointed by the fact that the Government has finally made a decision about the second terminal at Dublin airport must be Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary. It has removed the reason why he, his views and his commercial interests have got such an inordinate amount of attention of late.

Michael O'Leary is a shrewd businessman; he wouldn't be the multi-millionaire he is now if he wasn't. As Irish capitalists go he is one of the best, and good luck to him. He has also been one of the best at attracting publicity for himself and in recent times that has been achieved mainly by deliberately courting political controversy.

None of this is motivated by any public altruism. Although at times he may feign concern for the Irish travelling public, the Irish public purse, or indeed our tourism industry, Michael O'Leary sole motivation is expanding Ryanair's profits and thereby also expanding his own considerable fortune.