Is Micheal O Leary going to be the Irish Donald Trump ?

No.

Irish people aren't American and wouldn't vote for someone like O'Leary.

You could vote for him if he stood as a TD and then what? We don't have a presidential election as they do in the States. He'd need to be the head of a popular political party in order for something similar to happen here.

Well thankfully the Irish system, despite its flaws, is nothing like the US system. If MO'L wanted to get elected to power he'd have to work an awful lot harder than Trump did.

Option 1: Replace Michael D as President.

Largely pointless, the office has no real power to change things and O'Leary would get bored twiddling his thumbs. It's also a position that requires a certain level of diplomatic tact and decorum.... perhaps not then.

Option 2: Join a political party - get selected to run as TD - get elected as TD - win parliamentary party leadership election - win overall majority in election.

As mentioned earlier, a lot more work than Trump. Of course he'd get parachuted into any major party (FG I'll assume) and most probably get elected as a TD first time. Would he get elected party leader - not sure about that. Also would be highly unlikely to gain enough seats for an overall Dáil majority so some sort of coalition would be necessary and probably with a left/centre-left party. So no nothing like DT.

Option 3: Form a political party and continue as option 2 above.

Easier to be nominated party leader but impossible to gain enough seats (in the short term) to make any difference.


So not impossible but very very unlikely and if he did manage it he'd probably deserve it (through hard work at least) unlike Trump. Still wouldn't vote for him.

I would vote for him also

absolutely Id vote for him, he might not be able to change very much, unless her started his own party and was involved in government, but it would be great for him to call out all the incompetent gob****es for what they are...

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Would you rather a former primary school teacher to be either Taoiseach or Minister for Finance or would you rather Michael O'Leary?

I'd prefer a stray cat to O'Leary.

average_runner wrote: »

That's why we got bertie and ends.

People that never ran a business or have experience

I'd prefer Bertie to a stray cat or O'Leary if that helps.

It doesn't stop him providing a service to Manchester.

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Ah, now I know why Bertie appeals to you so much.

Bertie doesn't appeal to me at all, but he's more appealing than O'Leary. Or a slug.

KingBrian2 wrote: »

I'd vote for Pat Kenny to become Taoiseach he comes across as some one who is serious and well capable of taking on series problems facing the nation.

We couldn't afford him.

Avatar MIA wrote: »

The same reason why the Donald takes only $1 salary, the money will have nothing to do with it.

Trump is trying to do that in order to ensure he doesn't open up his taxes to scrutiny.

You honestly think someone like O'Leary would give up the millions he'd earn to do a job that's far more demanding and scrutinised that the one he's doing now? Right now he only answers to shareholders and they don't care what he does if he makes them more money. Treat you staff like rubbish? Who cares? Treat your customers like cattle? Who cares? Try to get around your passengers legal rights? Who cares?

He's only ever answerable to people who only care about money. As Toasieach he'd be answerable to the people of Ireland and there's no way he'd even think about it.

O'leary would not be a good political leader, it's a skill set that few possess. A multitude of skills are required, and a business hat is just one of them. His skills of running efficiently running organisations most certainly is needed in the public service, but attitude of dealing with the public is most certainly not needed. I do respect his achievements in his field but we require different skill sets in the public domain

Avatar MIA wrote: »

How many of the previous Irish political leaders, though lacking business experience, were actually better than what you think O'Leary would bring to job?

So, Kenny doesn't have much experience in business, but you think he has made a better job of being Taoiseach because of what other inherent skill?

great questions, quick answer, none really come to mind, as i said, earlier, very few actually have the necessary skill set to be a good leader in politics. o'leary is exceptional in his field and hats off to him in his successes, but political leadership is whole different ball game. o'leary is ruthless but those traits can be problematic even dangerous in the world of politics. a true leader in politics is somebody that understands humanity and the needs of all, and is capable of producing a plan to try achieve that. business is only one entity of political leadership, but im afraid a rising tide 'does not' lift all boats! social needs are far different and far more complex than the success of a business.

Jane1012 wrote: »

I happened to be at a talk of his yesterday and this question was asked.. his answer was absolutely not and that he wouldn't even vote for himself

where was that?