Last checked at 
(Adds IAG joining case as notice party)
DUBLIN, July 31 (Reuters) - Ryanair has initiated
legal proceedings against Ireland, questioning the legality of
travel restrictions that have kept a quarantine policy in place
for all but 15 countries, the airline said on Friday.
The Irish carrier, Europe's largest budget airline, said it
had begun the action to challenge what it described as the Irish
government's "ineffective" green list of countries, for which a
14-day quarantine requirement does not apply.
Ireland has taken a more cautious approach to reopening its
economy and skies than many European countries. The green list,
announced on July 22, contained some popular destinations
Ryanair flies to, such as Italy and Greece, but not others
including Britain, France and Spain.
This list is due to be reviewed next week and is unlikely to
be enlarged.
Asked about reports of a potential challenge by Ryanair on
Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the government
would wait to see what case the airline made but that the advice
from the authorities on travel was clear.
The Irish Independent newspaper reported that Ryanair would
seek a judicial review and argue the list was not provided for
in legislation and parliament was denied the opportunity to
scrutinise it when it was put in place by way of public
announcement.
IAG, which owns Irish airline Aer Lingus, has
joined as a notice party to the proceedings, meaning it could be
heard in court argument, chief executive Willie Walsh told Irish
national broadcaster RTE.
Irishman Walsh said he understand the need for the measures,
but was challenging its blanket application.
Ryanair, IAG and easyJet launched a similar
challenge against the British government last month, but said
they would end the action after London scrapped its 14-day
quarantine rule for travellers coming from some of the most
popular tourist destinations.
(Reporting by Padraic Halpin and Conor Humphries; Editing by
Mark Potter)
