The European Commission has confirmed it is seeking 'clarifications' from the Government over the mandatory hotel quarantine system.
A spokesperson told Newstalk there are concerns in relation to the general principles of European Union law, in particular proportionality and non-discrimination.
"We are in contact with the Irish authorities and will ask them for clarifications on this matter and the criteria used to determine the designated countries", he said.
"While quarantine and testing requirements are a national competence, nevertheless, when affecting citizens’ rights to free movement, such measures have to comply with general principles of EU law."
It comes as passengers arriving here from European countries like Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and France now face 12 nights of mandatory quarantine in a hotel.
The US and Canada are also on the updated list.
It came into force at 4.00am on Thursday morning, despite the fact that the system was fully booked.
The system has been under increased criticism, most recently from Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson.
He earlier told The Hard Shoulder a system of quarantine is not workable in a free travel area.
"Whether we like it or not, we live in the European Union and there's unrestricted, free travel within that.
"And whatever about putting in a quarantine, you can't have a quarantine with a whole in it.
"When you impose things like quarantine it sounds great, but the ability to implement it in an open travel area is nonsense".
