MICHAEL O’LEARY drives a hard bargain whenever he is doing business for Ryanair, including what he pays for its public relations advice.

The airline is offering €7,500 a month for its public relations account – about one-third of what most big agencies would expect from such a high-profile and busy client, and one with a larger than life chief executive to boot.

The fee was clearly too low for Murray Consultants, which earlier this month resigned the account after a 15-year association with the airline, much to everyone’s surprise.

I’m told a couple of large Irish agencies have politely declined the opportunity to attend the beauty parade for a replacement.

That said, there was still a large number of Irish and British agencies willing to put forward their credentials when pitches began yesterday, where O’Herlihy Communications, Drury, Edelman and a UK firm presented. The opportunity to work with the great man and have Ryanair on their client list is obviously priceless for a lot of PRs.