Ireland: Ryanair tells High Court that travel restrictions are nonsensical

Ryanair has claimed before the High Court that travel restrictions introduced by the Government in response to the Covid-19 pandemic are “nonsensical”, “outrageous, confusing and detrimental” to the public and its business. The airline claims the international travel restrictions are unlawful and amount to a disproportionate interference of the rights of the airline and its passengers. In its action against An Taoiseach, Ireland and the Attorney General, it wants various orders and declarations, including an order setting aside the measures announced in late July. The State parties, in opposing the action, argue the measures are not mandatory and are advisory in nature. Ryanair has no legal basis to bring its challenge against the measures, they argue. Aer Lingus, a notice party to the case, is supporting Ryanair’s action. Opening the case, Martin Hayden SC, with Eoin O’Shea, for the airline, told Mr Justice Garrett Simons his side does not accept the State’s argument the measures are advisory and restrict people’s freedoms. Travel advice was being converted into something it was not designed to do in a “nonsensical” manner, he said. Story has details.<br/>