Mohan Sinha
31 Dec 2025

DUBLIN, Ireland: Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has called Taoiseach Micheál Martin "useless" and believes he will be ousted by July.

In a wide-ranging and profanity-filled interview with the Irish Independent, O'Leary said he was frustrated with the Government.

He criticised Martin over problems with Ireland's roads, healthcare, and housing, but said his main complaint was the passenger cap at Dublin Airport.

Although the Government has introduced legislation to remove the 32 million passenger limit, O'Leary said he was sceptical and criticised the responses he had received from Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien.

He reserved his most substantial criticism for Martin.

O'Leary stated that the Government had said it would work with stakeholders to achieve its objective of scrapping the cap at Dublin Airport.

O'Leary said twelve months had passed, and nothing had happened, while all Martin did was wander around, opening the baggage hall in Kerry Airport. From there, he went to Lebanon to visit the troops, even though the country has a defence minister.

"What's happening about the airport cap? Nothing. Housing? Nothing. Infrastructure? Nothing. He's too busy off with his new 50 million-euro jet.

"This whole Government gets nothing done — and it comes from the top."

O'Leary also said he does not believe Martin will be Taoiseach when Ireland begins its EU Council presidency in July.

Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July 1 to December 31, 2026.

"I do not think Micheál Martin will still be Taoiseach in July when Ireland begins its presidency [of the EU]. More pressure will come on with the two by-elections. Lose them, and the writing will be on the wall.

"We're going to go after Micheál Martin because he's useless."