More houses could land on Ryanair’s lap
O’leary: Airline has nothing to apologise for
MICHAEL O’leary has said Ryanair could buy more houses and he would “apologise to nobody” for it.
But the airline boss said he didn’t think it would happen but added: “If we have to, we certainly will, but I don’t think we have to.”
He told RTE radio the company “bought 40 houses and apartments” near Dublin Airport.
He said they would provide 120 to 140 bedrooms at a discount rental price for new recruits’ first year and “market level” rents in year two of employment.
Mr O’leary said: “My job is to make sure that we have accommodation for young cabin crew who we recruit each year.
“In recent years, we have been renting accommodation in City West and the outskirts of Dublin but they are not accessible to Dublin Airport.
“Staff pay their own rent. By buying these houses, what we are able to do is facilitate rental properties that are just one bus stop from Dublin Airport for cabin crew. And I would apologise to nobody for it.”
He added he has “nothing” to say to local families who might have hoped to buy one of these 40 houses. Mr O’leary said: “In recent years, the absence of affordable rental accommodation has been a major impediment to recruiting and training new Irish and European cabin crew members to Ryanair’s in-flight team.”
There was criticism last week after Ryan was revealed to have bought 25 houses in Swords, Co Dublin, for up to €10million.
Housing Minister Darragh O’brien described it as “frustrating”.
And Social Democrats housing spokesperson Cian O’callaghan TD said it was a “kick in the teeth” for first-time buyers in an area where homes can cost around €400,000.
A 10% stamp duty on bulk purchases over 10 properties was introduced in 2021 – aimed at curbing bulk buying.
Meanwhile, Mr O’leary also took a pop at Transport Minister Eamon Ryan, describing him as “incompetent” over Dublin Airport expansion plans. He said: “He says nothing. He is an idiot.”
But host Claire Byrne asked Mr O’leary “to move away from personal insults”.