The European Commission announced on Thursday 7 March that Ireland has been referred to the EU Court of Justice, accompanied by a request for financial penalties for persistent infringement of the Package Travel and Related Travel Services Directive (EU Directive 2015/2302), which clarified and strengthened travellers' rights.
Reason for the referral: Ireland has still not fully transposed this directive into national law, which should have been done by 1 July 2018 at the latest (see EUROPE 12052/13), despite a formal notice sent in March 2018 and a reasoned opinion sent in November 2018.
By bringing an action against this Member State, the Commission is asking the Court of Justice to impose a minimum lump sum fine of €1,181,000 and a daily penalty payment of €15,996.96 on Ireland.
This modernised directive requires, in particular, clear information on prices and any additional costs when booking package holidays, enhanced cancellation rights and clearer provisions on traveller reimbursement and repatriation in the event of the organisers' bankruptcy. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)