Leo Varadkar admits Government rules partially responsible for Ryanair closure

60 Ryanair staff risk losing their jobs following the airline’s decision to close its Cork Airport base for winter

Leo Varadkar: Tánaiste admitted the Government’s strict travel rules have contributed to the closures, but that they're in place for 'good reason'. Picture: Julien Behal

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has admitted the closure of Ryanair's bases in Cork and Shannon for the winter is due in part to “the very strict travel rules we’ve put in place” but added that planes probably “shouldn’t be” flying over the winter period.

The news that Ryanair is to close its bases in the southern airports for the winter has come as a “huge blow” to Cork and Shannon regions, he said.