Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary says protesting taxi drivers should work harder or get out of the business if they have a problem making a living.
Mr O'Leary, who holds a taxi-licence plate but uses it purely for personal journeys, said he doesn't support today’s protest by taxi drivers and would be actively using his taxi on Dublin's roads today.
He said he had "no time" for the drivers' action and called on the Government to have the guts to issue taxi plates for as many people as might want them.
Mr O'Leary, a trenchant critic of aviation regulation, said he strongly supported the existing system of taxi regulation. "If people can't make a living from taxis, they should work longer hours or go somewhere else. There are plenty of others who will take their place."
Speaking at the launch of a Ryanair "rescue plan" for Irish tourism, he also called for a further expansion of bus-lanes. "Speaking as one of the many contented and very happy taxi licence-holders in the country, I think the present system is working fine."