A government minister has attacked the world's airlines for not taking climate change seriously, calling Europe's largest budget carrier Ryanair "the irresponsible face of capitalism". Environment Minister Ian Pearson branded the US airline industry "completely irresponsible" for opposing a European Commission proposal to include aviation in its scheme to combat global warming by curbing emissions of greenhouse gases. Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said Pearson's comments were "foolish and ill-informed". "It is clear that Minister Pearson hasn't a clue what he's talking about," Ryanair's Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said in a statement.