Passenger cap criticism follows Taoiseach to China

James Cox

Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Passenger cap criticism follows Martin to China

Taoiseach Micheál Martin is currently on a five-day state visit to China.

The internal unrest in Fianna Fáil about his leadership, and Jim Gavin's disastrous presidential run, had finally quietened down, but Mr Martin now faces the wrath of Michael O'Leary.

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has doubled down on his criticism of Taoiseach Micheál Martin over his China trip and the Dublin Airport passenger cap.

In a wide-ranging, and expletive-laden, interview with the Irish Independent last week, Mr O'Leary expressed frustration with the Government.

While the Government has introduced legislation aimed at removing the 32 million passenger cap, Mr O'Leary expressed his doubts, and was critical of responses he has received from Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien.

On Monday, Mr O'Leary once again took aim at "Taoiseach Micheál 'Marco Polo' Martin" urging him "to stop wasting time getting his photo taken, and instead deliver on his year-old Government Programme, which promised to scrap the Dublin Airport cap 'as soon as possible'."

Mr O'Leary said: "Micheál 'Marco Polo' Martin claims his overseas tours deliver jobs - they don’t. All they deliver is more photos of Micheál Martin glad handing world leaders, while nothing is done at home about real job creation, despite his Government's 20-seat majority."

Mr O'Leary then referenced a Sunday Independent poll which showed 66 per cent of readers in favour of scrapping the Dublin Airport passenger cap.

"Micheál 'Marco Polo' Martin promised to scrap this cap 'as soon as possible', yet 12 months later nothing has been done. He's too busy travelling the world getting his photo taken, while failing to deliver his Government Programme here at home. It's time for Micheál Martin to stop touring and start delivering, and a good place to start would be scrapping the illegal Dublin Airport cap before the end of January 2026.

"This will enable the airlines, led by Ryanair and US airlines, to add routes, services, and new jobs for summer 2026, and this might open up even more overseas travel opportunities for 'Marco Polo' Martin.

"January 2026 is the time for this 'Do Nothing' Taoiseach to deliver on his Programme for Government, and scrap the cap before the end of January, which would be 12 months after his Government with a 20-seat majority, promised to scrap it 'as soon as possible'."

EU leaders cautious in response to US attack on Venezuela

The United States' attack on Venezuela, and removal of president Nicolas Maduro, has been widely condemned.

However, European Union leaders have been taking a cautious approach.

Speaking in Beijing, Mr Martin called Nicolas Maduro's regime "illegitimate" and "oppressive". He refused to be drawn into commenting on whether the US broke international law. 

Steve Bannon calls for 'Irish Trump'

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon has promised an "Irish Trump", adding that he is working to "help form an Irish national party".

Mr Bannon has attempted to further far-right movements across Europe, with limited success.

While Ireland has had little far-right success electorally, Mr Bannon appears to be attempting to inflame anti-immigrant sentiment among far-right groups and influencers here.

In an interview with Politico, he said: "I’m spending a ton of time behind the scenes on the Irish situation to help form an Irish national party."

He wouldn't be the first prominent far-right figure in the US to take an interest in Ireland. Former Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and billionaire Elon Musk have spread misinformation about immigration in Ireland on a number of occasions.

In the interview, Mr Bannon added: "They’re going to have an Irish MAGA, and we’re going to have an Irish Trump. That’s all going to come together, no doubt. That country is right on the edge thanks to mass migration."

Healy-Rae criticises Government's plan for short-term letting restrictions

Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae has broken ranks with the Government over plans to tighten rules on short-term letting.

Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae said short-term lets are being wrongly blamed for the housing crisis and the clampdown will hurt tourism-dependent communities.

The plans include a new national register and stricter planning rules for short-term lets advertised on platforms like Airbnb, due to take effect from mid-2026.

Mr Healy-Rae said many rural properties won’t transfer to the long-term rental market.

He told Newstalk: "Taking a property out of long-term let, and putting it into short-term, doing that... now I have a problem with that.

"But what I don't like is moving the goalposts in the middle of the game. The traditional people who have been giving an excellent service, whether it's Irish people going on holidays, or people coming from abroad... they're providing a service."

Abroad

A defiant Nicolas Maduro declared himself the “president of my country” as he protested against his capture and pleaded not guilty to the federal drug-trafficking charges that the Trump administration used to justify removing him from power.

“I was captured,” Maduro said in Spanish as translated by a courtroom reporter before being cut off by the judge.

Asked later for his plea to the charges, he stated: “I’m innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man, the president of my country.”

Billionaire Elon Musk has hinted at a reconciliation with US president Donald Trump as the pair shared a "lovely dinner" at Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.

The pair were joined by Mr Trump's wife Melania, just hours after US missile strikes in Caracas led to the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.

The pair had a highly public falling out last summer after Mr Musk broke with the president over his 'Big Beautiful Bill' tax and spending act.

Mr Musk had been in charge of the now defunct Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) which promised big spending savings for the US government, but largely failed to deliver. 

He remained close with US vice president JD Vance, who has reportedly been working on mending the relationship between Mr Musk and Mr Trump.

Mr Musk, the world's richest person, had spent millions on Mr Trump's re-election campaign before his Doge role, but returned to his work leading the likes of Tesla, X and SpaceX after the fallout.

Mr Musk had been pictured with Mr Trump on a couple of occasions since, but the dinner may indicate they are back on good terms.

In a post on X showing him alongside Mr Trump and Melania Trump, Mr Musk wrote: "Had a lovely dinner last night with @POTUS
and @FLOTUS. 2026 is going to be amazing!"

Mr Musk has also shared numerous posts praising Mr Trump's actions in Venezuela, which have been widely condemned.

Ahead of the US midterm elections, which could hinder Mr Trump's agenda if Democrats make big gains, Mr Musk has indicated he will bankroll Republican candidates.

He said: "America is toast if the radical left wins."