Ryanair has lost its legal action against the state claiming its Covid-19 travel restrictions are unlawful.
The High Court has ruled the Government’s travel advice is legal and complies with EU law.
The airline claimed the measures are nonsensical, outrageous, confusing and detrimental to both the public and its business.
The company told the court that 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. But the airline has lost.
In a ruling this morning, Mr Justice Garret Simons says the Government acted lawfully in providing its 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.
The ruling also says the publication of the travel advice is consistent with EU law and doesn’t breach the right to freedom of movement.
