Sinn Féin TD for Tipperary Martin Browne has raised the issue of refunds for people who have had to cancel holiday bookings with the government.

In an answer to written question the Minister for Transport acknowledged the problem and that a significant number of people have had to cancel flights and hotel bookings with no legal entitlement to refunds under Irish or European law.

Reacting to the Ministers answer, Teachta Browne said:

‘While I welcome the Ministers acknowledgment of the problem, by his own admission he has done nothing to address the situation aside from asking airlines to show discretion. This simply isn’t good enough as people are looking at the loss of significant sums of money if they do not receive refunds.

‘I have submitted an additional question on this issue as the Ministers answer offers no solution for the people who I have spoken too who rightly feel that they should not be penalised due to following government travel guidelines’.