The chairman of Ireland’s tourism authority, Michael Cawley has resigned after going on holiday to Italy, contrary to government advice to avoid non-essential travel abroad. Cawley resigned during what was reported as a “frank” mid-morning telephone phone call with Tourism Minister Catherine Martin, who reportedly informed the former Ryanair executive that his position was no longer tenable.

Cawley apparently did not resist and tendered his resignation. He said in a statement that he decided to step down because he did not wish to allow the issue to distract from Failte Ireland’s work in rebuilding the Irish tourism industry.

Italy is one of 10 countries on the government’s green list, anyone arriving in Ireland can avoid a 14-day quarantine requirement that applies to travellers from anywhere else.

However official travel advice since Ireland’s coronavirus outbreak began in February has remained that non-essential travel abroad should be avoided and people have been encouraged to holiday at home to support the hard-hit tourism sector.

Failte Ireland, has been giving extra funding to promote domestic tourism.