Ryanair may go to court over use of stenographers at tribunal
Lawyers for Ryanair yesterday informed an EAT hearing in Dublin that the airline is considering seeking a judicial review of the tribunal’s policy on the use of stenographers.
The tribunal’s general rule is that it will only allow a party to use a stenographer if they are willing to provide a transcript of any hearing free of charge to both the tribunal and the opposing party.
Ryanair has traditionally applied at the outset of cases, in which the airline is accused of unfairly sacking an employee, for permission to have a stenographer record the proceedings.
However, it refuses to provide free transcripts to the opposing side which are usually applicants assisted by the trade union, IMPACT, which represents both pilots and cabin crew.
The airline claims it wishes to have a stenographer present at EAT hearings in order to have a permanent, accurate record of the proceedings.
However, trade union representatives claim it is designed to increase costs and intimidate Ryanair’s opponents by giving the airline an unfair advantage.
Tribunal chairman Tom Ryan yesterday pointed out that the official record is a handwritten note taken by the tribunal’s secretary.
Ryanair was also recently informed in a separate case that it could not rely on a stenographer’s transcript to cross-examine witnesses.
Opposing the application, Michael Landers of IMPACT, said the use of a stenographer would add to the cost of the tribunal, which is specifically designed as a low-cost forum to hear to disputes about employment issues.
Counsel for Ryanair, Frank Beatty, said the airline had already asked the EAT to reconsider a ruling on the use of stenographers made in a separate case earlier this month. He added that the question of taking a High Court challenge on the issue was under consideration.
