Ryanair claims tourist tax is illegal

Ryanair released (01-Dec-2010) Freedom of Information records from the Department of Finance which it says confirms that in Mar-2010 the EU Commission initiated infringement proceedings against the Irish Government's EUR10 tourist tax which has been applied illegally in Ireland. Ryanair stated the proceedings focus on the fact that the lower EUR2 tax, levied on services within 300km of Dublin, is contrary to EU law, which requires that the same tax rate should be applied to all intra-EU journeys regardless of length. [more]

Ryanair: "Ryanair made a formal complaint about this illegal EUR10 tourist tax to the EU Commission in Jul-2009. These Freedom of Information records clearly show that the Commission agrees with Ryanair's complaint that this EUR10 tax has been illegally applied here in Ireland. The Irish Government must therefore scrap this damaging EUR10 tax or reduce it to EUR2 in the December budget. Ryanair expects that the Government will scrap its failed and damaging EUR10 tourist tax." Stephen McNamara, Spokesman. Source: Ryanair, 01-Dec-2010