O'Leary Slams EU Commission at EU Conference on...eh...Innovation

[stopdoingstuff]

In what can only be described as a barnstorming performace at a recent EU conference on innovation, the controversial but successful Ryanair boss describes the process of innovation at Ryanair and is very critical of the Commission, especially around the 7 minute mark. Looking at the video, I could not help reflecting on how this guy, despite his truculent public profile and his many perceived faults, has succeeded in creating one of the most stunning success stories in the history of Irish and European business; and that his record of succeeding by offering people real choice and value, which is endorsed by 75million pocket-book votes per year, stands in sharp contrast to the record of the dead hand of the Commission and the EU, who have presided over industrial decline, chasing industries overseas, robbing citizens to pay bankers, and doing their level best to be as technocratic and undemocratic as possible. Is it too much to hope that the EU will learn from real innovators who deliver real value and choice, or will the process of centralization and bureaucratic control, and misgovernment contuinue?

[bluefirelog]

I think this is the conference for which he had submitted the 'interesting' profile
You've seen Michael O'Leary's profile on the EU Commission website, right?

[bluefirelog]

I for one am very glad that the European Commission ruled a few years ago that Ryanair could not buy out Aer Lingus. If that happened, we would have a monopoly and prices would go up. I read an article in which O'Leary said funerals are great for business - people have no choice to travel last minute and they can maximise profits out of them...

[David Cochrane]

I for one am very glad that the European Commission ruled a few years ago that Ryanair could not buy out Aer Lingus. If that happened, we would have a monopoly and prices would go up. I read an article in which O'Leary said funerals are great for business - people have no choice to travel last minute and they can maximise profits out of them...

What?

Have you not heard of competition?

[bluefirelog]

What?

Have you not heard of competition?

If Ryanair took over Aer Lingus, we would have no choice on most routes and Ryanair could use it to hike up prices.
No-one else has come in to Ireland to date and successfully rivalled the two of them on most routes, which would indicate no-one else is interested in our market...

[asknoquestions]

Ryanair have done more for freedom of movement of labour in Europe than the Commission despite all their fancy-dan social networking

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[Edo]

eh - I dont know

As much as I like Mike - I think the Ryanair "genius" thing has been overdone here big time

Mike didn't invent the wheel here - he took full advantage of the open skies agreement in Europe that came into being withthe single market - he also took full advantage of EU structural funds that have helped subside air transport all over europe - particularly to small regional airports that Ryanair fly into and some would say hold ransom.

when it comes to free trade, tearing down trade barriers and keeping real competition in the market place - the EU commission are miles ahead of anybody in the world - possibly at times to the EUs detriment - in promoting R&D and innovation they do a superb job - hampered as they are by individual nations and vested interests all the way - I've worked for over 20 years in international traded goods and services and I can tell you that many Free-trade Americans talk admiringly of the EU and the fact that no business is too big to be taken on and put in its place when it comes to ensuring competition in the marketplace - they were the only ones to put Microsoft in their place as regardind anti-competitive practices and there are many more examples.

Comparing running a single business that has profited massively from the EU commission mandate of ensuring competition and openess in the market place - to the complexity of all that the EU does - is simply not comparing like with like.

I like Michael - I think he is a very good businessman - he took an idea from somewhere else and implemented it very sucessfully - and he took advantage of changes in regulation and competition that came along just in time for him to benefit - but he is no Steve Jobs - and with the greatest respect - he is talking thru his arse here.

then again - talking objectively about the EU in this country thesedays is like trying to have a balanced conversation about the French football team the night of Thierry Henry's "handball" - those who want to believe will believe and will broke no arguement - the facts be damned.

Mike is enjoying himself here - doing his populist "little man against authority" party piece - He'll still be voting and encouraging a "yes" vote in the next referendum - he knows where his busines interests lie and where the 200 grand a year for his cattle come from.

[stopdoingstuff]

700 grand for a website ah well, i suppose it's only the peasants' money afterall.

[Blucher]

In what can only be described as a barnstorming performace at a recent EU conference on innovation, the controversial but successful Ryanair boss describes the process of innovation at Ryanair and is very critical of the Commission, especially around the 7 minute mark. Looking at the video, I could not help reflecting on how this guy, despite his truculent public profile and his many perceived faults, has succeeded in creating one of the most stunning success stories in the history of Irish and European business; and that his record of succeeding by offering people real choice and value, which is endorsed by 75million pocket-book votes per year, stands in sharp contrast to the record of the dead hand of the Commission and the EU, who have presided over industrial decline, chasing industries overseas, robbing citizens to pay bankers, and doing their level best to be as technocratic and undemocratic as possible. Is it too much to hope that the EU will learn from real innovators who deliver real value and choice, or will the process of centralization and bureaucratic control, and misgovernment contuinue?

One cannot expect Maoists like Barosso to consider "innovation".

[jmcc]

Outstanding! That was a very good presentation.

Regards...jmcc