Simon Harris has distanced his party from comments made by Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, who suggested teachers should not lead the country, while endorsing a Fine Gael candidate.
It comes after the comments were described as “extremely offensive and hugely insulting” by political opponents and teachers’ unions.
The airline chief announced his support for a Fine Gael candidate in the general election, adding it was important to elect a government that “gets shit done”.
Mr O’Leary endorsed Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke in the Longford–Westmeath constituency, adding that he would give his second preference to Fianna Fáil candidate Robert Troy.
The multimillionaire based part of his endorsement on Mr Burke’s background in the private sector, as he criticised TDs who were teachers in the past. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is among those who have a background in teaching.
“The Dáil is full of teachers – nothing wrong with teachers, I love teachers, but I wouldn’t generally employ a lot of teachers to go out and get things done,” he said.
The Teachers’ Union of Ireland said the comments were “extremely offensive”, while the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation added that the remark was “outrageous and deeply insulting”.
Elsewhere, Fianna Fáil Minister of State James Browne said the remark was “offensive”, adding that he was the chair of a board of management for a primary school.
“One of the most effective things you can do with your life is being a teacher,” he said.
Fianna Fáil candidate for Dublin Bay South Jim O’Callaghan added: “As the son of a primary school teacher, I can tell him he’s absolutely incorrect – teachers are very effective at getting things done.”
In an apparent reference to Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Simon Harris, Mr O’Callaghan added: “We need people from different backgrounds in Dáil Éireann, teachers, all walks of life – it can’t be the case that everyone just decides at 19 years of age that ‘I’m going to be a politician’ and stay in politics for the rest of their lives.”
Elsewhere, Labour leader Ivana Bacik said it was very disappointing to hear someone in public life “taking snipes or sneers at teachers”, as she called on Fine Gael to distance themselves from the comments.
She said: “We’re all conscious of the enormous contribution that teachers have made.”
She added: “It’s particularly disappointing at a time when we know there’s a crisis in education, the recruitment and retention of teachers.”
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald also weighed in, saying: “For teachers to be jeered and demeaned in this way is unacceptable.”
Mr Burke later distanced himself from Mr O’Leary’s remarks, telling RTÉ radio that he “absolutely” disagreed with the businessman about teachers.
Mr Harris, Fine Gael leader, said the Ryanair boss’s comments were unacceptable but welcomed the endorsement.
He said: “Teachers are the backbone of Irish society and I’m not sure there’s people who would last five minutes standing at the front of a class and I have nothing but respect for teachers.
“Michael O’Leary is a very successful businessman, I think the fact one of the most successful businessmen in Ireland thinks the minister for business is doing a good job is important, is good.
“But I also think this: The Dáil needs diversity, the Dáil needs a mix of people in it.”
Speaking at Mr Burke’s campaign launch in Mullingar, Mr O’Leary also took aim at Sinn Féin and continued a long-running feud with the Green Party.
Mr O’Leary, who grew up and lives in Mullingar, said the November 29th vote would be “one of the most seismic elections” within the next three decades because of the expected population boom.
He added: “So it is vital this time that we elect a government that delivers.
“We need a government that delivers for enterprise, that creates jobs. We need a government that delivers infrastructure that fixes the problems we face today, and above all, it’s vital that we elect a government that gets shit done.
“Because, frankly, I’m fed up with the left-wing politicians telling us that if they tax us more and spend more, all will be well.”
Mr O’Leary urged the crowd to also support Fianna Fáil candidates but urged them not to vote for the Green Party or Sinn Féin.
“I would also urge everybody to give your number two to somebody in Fianna Fáil as well,” he said.
“It’s important, I think, in this election that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil supporters transfer to each other.”
Ryanair has repeatedly criticised the Green ministers for transport and tourism, Eamon Ryan and Catherine Martin, over what the airline sees as a lack of action on the Dublin Airport passenger cap.
“What is most important in this election is we weed out the Greens. We’ve learned after five minutes that the Greens are just weeds,” Mr O’Leary said.
“They poison enterprise. They’ve destroyed transport.”
He added: “Please don’t vote for Sinn Féin. I would ignore Sinn Féin. If you can’t run your own party, you haven’t much chance of running a government or a country either.”
