‘Teachers not the best people to deliver change’

Michael O’Leary has repeated controversial comments he made about teachers, arguing that they are not the best type of politicians to deliver change in Ireland.

The Ryanair boss said at an election event at the weekend, where he endorsed Enterprise Minister and Fine Gael TD Peter Burke, that teachers should not lead the country.

This prompted sharp criticism from teachers’ unions and political parties, while the Fine Gael leadership have attempted to distance themselves from the comments.

Michael O’Leary said Catherine Martin had been a failure as Minister for Tourism. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Mr O’Leary has since doubled down on his stance, telling Newstalk radio on Monday that there are “too many teachers in the Dáil”.

He said that he was making a “serious” point about the need for more diversity in the Dáil – and said there was a need for more business owners to become TDs.

The Ryanair chief also said that Minister for Media and Tourism Catherine Martin was…