O'Leary defended Ryanair's environmental record after coming in for criticism from the UK's environment minister Ian Pearson on Friday. Pearson was critical of the aviation industry . . . and in particular of Ryanair . . . accusing airlines of failing to take seriously the issue of greenhouse gas emissions.

However, the Green Party's Ciaran Cuffe yesterday branded O'Leary "a fool" and called the airline "one of the most ardently anti-Green airlines" in Europe.

"Ryanair's rabid boss is trying to use the same old tricks with the environment as he does with so many other issues: arrogance, bluster, diversion and misinformation, " said Cuffe, the party's environment spokesman. "Claims that new aircrafts have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 45% over the past eight years are almost entirely worthless when contrasted with an increase in passenger numbers of over 600% in the same period. Rather than decreasing, in net terms Ryanair's greenhouse gas emissions have gone through the roof. Michael O'Leary is a fool if he expects anybody to believe that he has a green bone in his body."

Meanwhile, Ryanair has again called on Aer Lingus to drop its fuel surcharge on longhaul flights. Aer Lingus recently imposed a charge of 40 each way on long-haul flights in response to rising oil prices.

Ryanair, now a major shareholder in its rival, ruled out imposing similar charges and in its Aer Lingus takeover offer the company vowed to drop the charge.

A spokeswoman for Aer Lingus this weekend said the company was keeping the charge "under review", while a spokeswoman for Ryanair reiterated its opposition to the charge.