Ryanair boss, Michael O'Leary has faced major criticism after he recently described other airlines as "high-fare rapists".
O'Leary has faced huge backlash for his remarks, which have been described as "shameful", with several people calling for him to apologise.
This happened after O'Leary had said that rising air travel prices at other airlines would see passengers switch to Ryanair, before doubling down on his comments. This came ahead of his budget airline's annual general meeting in Dublin.
Speaking hours later, Michael O'Leary denied any wrongdoing, claiming it was "absolutely" appropriate to refer to other airlines as "high-fare rapists".
“You might find some people will choose not to fly with Ryanair – but you know they’ll be overrun with the people abandoning Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, BA, and others desperate to get to Ryanair’s low fares because they can’t afford to fly with the high-fare rapists around Europe", he said.
Having repeated the remarks, Michael O'Leary was then asked by reporters at the company's headquarters if the language was appropriate, to which he replied: "absolutely".
Since then, O'Leary has received huge criticism for these remarks, with Labour's Laura Harmon calling on the Ryanair CEO to engage with organisations like the Rape Crisis Centre, and to apologise for his "shocking" comments.
Per the Irish Sun, Harmon said: “The casual use of the word “rapist” to describe the prices of his competitors is deeply shocking and could be traumatising for any survivor of sexual abuse".
“We should have a zero-tolerance approach to sexual violence. In recent years, due to the tireless work of activists and the bravery of survivors of sexual violence who have shared their stories, Ireland has taken a strong stance in support of survivors.
“It is shameful to see O’Leary diminish the real experience of these survivors in such a way", Harmon continued: “Every week brings shocking new statistics and stories about the levels of domestic and sexual violence against women in our country".
“Reports conducted by organisations like the National Women’s Council of Ireland often detail the systemic challenges victims of domestic violence are faced with when they look for help – through the courts and the legal system, and through first responders like the Gardai".
“Having O’Leary make such ignorant comments only adds to this. I would urge him to come out and apologise today, and commit to informing himself about the real trauma of sexual violence".
Elsewhere, Michael O'Leary also came under fire from Fianna Fáil's Lorraine Clifford-Lee, calling them "a new low" for him.
“These comments are disgusting and represent a new low in the kind of rhetoric we have come to expect from Michael O’Leary", she said.
“This goes far beyond being provocative or controversial. It shows an extraordinary lack of empathy for victims and survivors of rape and sexual violence". (All quotes according to The Irish Sun).
