Ryanair granted review against ITP ruling

Lawyers for Ryanair were today granted a judicial review in the High Court of the decision by the Irish Takeover Panel which resulted in the cancellation of a live televised debate between Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary and Aer Lingus Chief Executive Dermot Mannion.

The debate was due to take place on Tuesday night on public broadcaster RTE's 'Primetime' program but was cancelled following the ITP's statement that the debate would have breached takeover rules.

In the High Court, Ryanair's layers argued that the decision was disproportionate and effectively constituted a gagging order.

The ITP stated that they had been concerned that details of Dermot Mannion's so called 'Failure Fee'had been made public and subsequently issued an instruction that all public statements would have to have prior approval of the ITP before release. It was this development that led to the debate being cancelled on Tuesday. 

The review will take place in the High Court on Monday next January 22.