Ryanair again calls for tourist tax to be scrapped

Ryanair has reiterated its call for the Government to axe its €10 tourist tax in tomorrow's Budget, describing the charge as 'illegal'.

"Since the introduction of this €10 tourist tax Irish tourism has collapsed, so much so that even the Govt’s own Tourism Renewal Group recommended it is axed in order to rescue Irish tourism," the airline said in a statement.

"It is time this Govt tackled this tourism crisis and axes the €10 tourist tax," Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara said.

"Had they listened to Ireland’s airlines or to its own Tourism Renewal Group (who called for the travel tax to be axed in 2009) then Irish tourism could now be one of the drivers getting this country out of recession.

"However, having failed to take the correct action in 2009, we call for them to take the right decision now by axing the €10 tourist tax in Budget 2011.”