The Government must fully-embrace the EUs traffic light system for international travel if it wants to save Ryanair’s bases in Cork and Shannon.

The airline this morning lost its legal action against the State claiming the current travel restrictions are unlawful.

In its submission to the High Court, Ryanair claimed that the restrictions are ‘nonsensical, outrageous, confusing and detrimental to both the public and its business.’

It argued that the restrictions are a disproportionate interference to the rights of the airline and its passengers.

A general view of the Four Courts in Dublin, Ireland.

In his ruling this morning however, Mr Justice Garret Simon's 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.

He also found that the publication of the travel advice was consistent with EU law and did not breach the right to freedom of movement.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson said the airline would follow through with its threat to close its bases in Shannon and Cork if the Government does not fully implement the EU Traffic Light system later this month.

“We are saying to the Government, if you include the traffic light system – they should do it today but if they are going to do it on October 13th – because of the profile of flying out of Shannon and Cork, that would mean that we would be able to save those bases for the winter and save the jobs down there,” he said.

Traffic Light

The EU system does not impose restrictions on countries designated green or amber and Mr Wilson said it essential that the Government follows this to the letter.

“There is no need for that because what the European Commission has said is that green and amber is fine and on red you can have local restrictions by each of the member states,” he said.

“We don’t have any difficulty with that but this has to be unambiguous. If we are taking green and amber, I think that will then be enough for us to save Cork and Shannon for this winter.”

International travel

He said the Irish Government has been “way behind” the rest of Europe when it comes to international travel.

“The problem isn’t in travel,” he said.

“This is nothing to do with Ryanair looking for some special dispensation. This is the European Centre for disease Control and the Irish Government need to get on to this and open Ireland back up.

“The problem is not with international travel. The problem is domestic, it is within house parties and all of that.”

Additional reporting from Stephanie Rohan.

You can listen back to Mr Wilson here: