The government is planning to raise fines for non-essential international travel to clamp down on people going on holidays.
The fine is set to jump from €500 per person to €2,000.
It has been suggested that the current fine is not enough to deter people from travelling abroad.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the Dáil around 60% of international travellers arriving into Ireland are returned Irish holiday makers.
People travelling to an airport or port are liable to be fined if the purpose of their journey is a non-essential holiday.
Those returning from abroad must now legally quarantine at home, while legislation to enforce mandatory hotel quarantine Cabinet next Tuesday.
Elizabeth Canavan, Assistant Secretary General, Department of the Taoiseach said today: “While overall passenger numbers are a tiny fraction of normal levels– below 3% for this time of year, over half of the passengers arriving into the country are Irish residents and two thirds of those are returning from holidays. This is a very concerning statistic. While we all would love and need a holiday, now is not the time for travel. Unless you are travelling for a specific essential purpose, please stay at home and follow the guidance.”
