The chairman of Ireland’s tourism authority, Michael Cawley, resigned on Saturday after going on holiday to Italy, contrary to government advice to avoid non-essential travel abroad.
Cawley, a Ryanair director who also served as finance chief and deputy CEO at the airline, faced calls from opposition parties to quit after he confirmed to the Irish Independent newspaper on Saturday that he was holidaying in Italy.
Following reports, Michael Cawley confirmed he was on a “pre-arranged family holiday in Italy, which is on the government green list”.
“As I have no wish to allow this issue to become a distraction from the important work of Failte Ireland in rebuilding the Irish tourism industry, I have decided after six years in the position to step down,” continued Mr Cawley, who is also a Ryanair director and served as the airline’s finance chief and deputy CEO.
Catherine Martin, Minister of Tourism in a statement confirmed she accepted Mr Cawley’s resignation during a phone call she made to him after learning of the holiday on Saturday morning.
“Tourism and hospitality have suffered significant losses since the start of this pandemic, with the industry in the three midlands counties of Laois, Kildare and Offaly particularly affected at present,” she said.
Tourism minister Catherine Martin said in a statement she accepted Mr Cawley’s resignation during a phone call she made to him after learning of the holiday on Saturday morning.
“Tourism and hospitality have suffered significant losses since the start of this pandemic, with the industry in the three midlands counties of Laois, Kildare and Offaly particularly affected at present,” she said.
“As a sign of solidarity with the industry, and to help the country reopen its schools safely, the government and my department in particular have encouraged people to holiday in Ireland this year.”
She said that while Italy is on the green list, meaning people who return from there do not have to quarantine, Irish citizens are still urged to avoid all non-essential travel.z
“As a sign of solidarity with the industry, and to help the country reopen its schools safely, the government and my department in particular have encouraged people to holiday in Ireland this year.”
She said that while Italy is on the green list, meaning people who return from there do not have to quarantine, Irish citizens are still urged to avoid all non-essential travel.
Source: news.sky.com