Press Release: Environment 5 January 2007

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Dún Laoghaire, Environment, Justice and Latest Press Releases

Cuffe blasts foolish O'Leary's nonsense about the environment

"Rather than decreasing, in net terms Ryanair's greenhouse gas emissions have gone through the roof."

"Michael O'Leary accuses politicians and environmentalists of telling lies, but he is the biggest liar of all. Ryanair is one of the most ardently anti-Green airlines in Europe, and is vehemently opposed to entering into an EU emissions trading system that would see it have to account for its sky-rocketing pollution. If anybody is talking nonsense about the environment, it is Michael O'Leary, not the UK's Environment Minister Ian Pearson who said Ryanair was not taking the issue of greenhouse gas emissions seriously.

"Ryanair's rabid boss is trying to use the same old tricks with the environment as he does with so many other issues; arrogance, bluster, diversion and misinformation. But this time it just won't wash. His lies about airline emissions being reduced as a result of new planes is utter baloney. Claims that new aircrafts have reduced CO2 emissions by 45% over the past eight years are almost entirely worthless when contrasted with an increase in passenger numbers of over 600% in the same period. Rather than decreasing, in net terms Ryanair's greenhouse gas emissions have gone through the roof. Michael O'Leary is the fool if he expects anybody to believe that he has a Green bone in his body," concluded Deputy Cuffe.