A Green Party Councillor and activist has called for people to boycott Ryanair for “attacking” cyclists.
The call was made by Clontarf Councillor Donna Cooney on social media on Tuesday. Notably, according to her profile on the Green Party website, Cooney says one of her “priorities” is creating a “safer cycling and walking environment.”
“Boycott Ryanair until they stop attacking climate activism and people that choose to cycle,” she said, including the hashtag “#BikesNotRyanair”.
Boycot Ryanair until they stop attacking climate activism and people that choose to cycle. #ClimateActionNow #BikesNotRyanair https://t.co/cPbZqYeKf7
— Cllr. Donna Cooney (@donna_cooney1) June 18, 2024
This was said in response to a flurry of combative posts by the Ryanair social media team, in which the airline used the hashtag “#FlightsNotBikes” to take aim at Green Party leader and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan, following his announcement that he would be retiring from politics before the next general election.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has paid “tribute” to Green Party leader Eamon Ryan upon his resignation, describing him as an “inherently decent person.”https://t.co/x3f5mwQNxC
— gript (@griptmedia) June 18, 2024
In the same vein as her colleague, Green Party Councillor for Pembroke in Dublin, Hazel Chu, slammed Ryanair as “one of the highest polluters in Europe”.
“Eamon Ryan has dedicated his life to fighting climate crisis despite the endless barrage of abuse he gets online,” the posted on social media.
“The airline having a go on the day he steps down is one of the highest polluters in Europe, directly contributing to our climate crisis. Ryanair, classy as ever!”
Eamon Ryan has dedicated his life to fighting climate crisis despite the endless barrage of abuse he gets online.
The airline having a go on the day he steps down is one of the highest polluters in Europe, directly contributing to our climate crisis.
Ryanair, classy as ever! https://t.co/GT7Hs93eHs
— Hazel Chu (@hazechu) June 18, 2024
Meanwhile, Fine Gael Councillor Daniel Butler decried the post as “classless and nasty, especially in a time where numerous politicians have expressed concerns about their safety & online abuse.”
Been a critic of Eamon Ryan over various issues but always respected he stood up for what he believed to be right.
This tweet by Ryanair is classless and nasty especially in a time where numerous politicians have expressed concerns about their safety & online abuse. https://t.co/NnLSUQmDk8
— Cllr Daniel Butler (@DanielButlerFG) June 18, 2024
Outspoken Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has had a long-standing feud with Minister Ryan over the latter’s transport and aviation policies – most recently in relation to the Dublin Airport passenger cap.
The passenger cap was established by An Bord Pleanála as a condition for the planning permission of the second terminal at the airport in 2007, and for the extension of Terminal 1 approved in 2008. This cap restricts the annual number of passengers using the airport facilities to 32 million.
Last year, 31,908,471 passengers passed through the two terminals, meaning the airport is unable to grow any further without violating its planning permission conditions.
In a Newstalk interview this week, O’Leary described the policy as “absurd,” “insane” and “stupid”, saying that it could cause flights from Dublin Airport to exceed €1,000 by this Christmas if it is not changed, as well as costing the country thousands of tourism jobs.
“If we had a Minister for Transport who was even modestly interested in aviation or economic growth and development – which his own aviation policy is supposed to support – he would fix this,” said O’Leary on Monday.
Following Ryan’s surprise announcement to step down as Green Party leader on Tuesday, the Ryanair social media team was quick to describe the outgoing TD as a “failed Green Minister”, pointing out that Dublin is the “world’s second slowest city for drivers”, home to “Europe’s only traffic capped airport”, and that his party had “failed” Irish tourism.
“Vote #FlightsNotBikes,” the airline added.
Jumps before pushed in gen election??
Failed Green Minister quits:
• Dublin World’s 2nd slowest city for drivers
• Europe’s only traffic capped airport
• Green party fails Irish Tourism
Vote #flightsnotbikes 🤪😜 pic.twitter.com/29zrNRwD2p— Ryanair (@Ryanair) June 18, 2024
They also issued a jab regarding the passenger cap, sharing a now-infamous image of Minister Ryan asleep in the middle of a Dáil vote.
“We would offer free seats for failed green ministers, but we’re capped at Dublin Airport, so get on your bike,” the company said, tagging Ryan’s account.
We would offer free seats for failed green ministers… but we’re capped at Dublin Airport… so get on your bike 🚲🤯🤡@EamonRyan pic.twitter.com/kG5j3SwNlN
— Ryanair (@Ryanair) June 18, 2024
The airline further took aim at Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin, who many commentators have speculated may replace Ryan as leader.
“Greens keep recycling same old rubbish,” the Ryanair account posted, including a meme image of Ministers Ryan and Martin wearing dunce caps.
Green's keep recycling same old rubbish…
Failing ministers.
Failing Irish aviation.
Failing Irish tourism.
Failing Irish jobs.🤡♻️
Vote #FlightsNotBikes pic.twitter.com/VM7n2cBeem
— Ryanair (@Ryanair) June 18, 2024
While the posts led to some controversy and backlash, with some users saying they were mean-spirited or even “bullying”, many social media users were in agreement with the airline.
“Going to use Ryanair more now,” said one user, while another said “Preach, Ryanair, preach!!!”
Gonna use Ryanair more now
— G Deegan – Holy Lantern Jaysus👀🇮🇪🇮🇪 (@GerardDeegan) June 19, 2024
Preach ryanair preach!!!
— Honky Pete (@BANNERMAN666) June 18, 2024
Still another said “Fully on board with this…Eamon Ryan is busy screwing the public over heating prices in a cost of living crisis, then he decided to charge every citizen 25c on each bottle of water.”
Fully on board with this
A dire need for more regional airport
A God damn metro to Dublin airport from Heuston station@EamonRyan is busy screwing the public over heating prices in a COL crisis
Then he decided to charge every citizen a 25c on each bottle of water
WTF man !!!!— 3nkaboot (@3nkaboot) June 18, 2024