Ryanair Loose Legal Action Against Government Travel Restrictions

Ryanair has lost its legal action against the State claiming its travel restrictions are unlawful.

Ryanair claimed before the High Court that the Government’s travel restrictions in response to Covid 19 are nonsensical, outrageous, confusing and detrimental to both the public and its business.

The airline claimed the restrictions were unlawful and amounted to a disproportionate interference to the rights of the airline and its passengers.
It took its case against the Taoiseach, Ireland and the Attorney General calling for the measures to be set aside.

In a ruling this morning, Mr Justice Garret Simons says the Government acted lawfully in providing is travel advice and - is entitled in the exercise of the executive power - to provide such advice to the public

It says the Government advice on travel since August 2020 is advice and not a legal requirement -although there may be financial penalties for those on social welfare.

It also says the publication of the travel advice is consistent with EU law and doesn’t breach the right to freedom of movement.