Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Mar 1972

Vol. 259 No. 13

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cut-Price Charter Flights.

18.

asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his action in disallowing certain cut-price charter flights from the Continent to land in Ireland was a unilateral action; and, if so, why the Governments of the continental countries concerned were not consulted.

19.

asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, in view of his recent action in disallowing cut-price charter flights to the Continent, he is aware that Irish people who wish to holiday abroad will now have to pay more for continental holidays; and if he regards this as being in accordance with the Government's desire that money be kept and spent in this country.

20.

asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his recent action in disallowing cut-price charter flights will militate against foreign travel groups and organisers of inclusive holidays who wish to holiday in Ireland; and, if so, if he will indicate the amount of tourist revenue which will be lost by such action.

21.

Mr. O'Donnell

asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether irregularities have been found in the operation of charter flights outwards from Ireland; if so, if he will give details; and what action he has taken in the matter and why.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 19, 20 and 21 together.

An air carrier requires the prior permission of my Department for the operation of inclusive tour charter flights between Ireland and the Continent. This permission is normally forthcoming where the conditions laid down for the operation of such flights are complied with. These conditions have been promulgated in the official Aeronautical Information Publication and are well known to the air carriers; they have also been distributed widely in the travel trade.

These regulations provide for minimum prices and for applications to be made in good time where exceptional price reductions are sought. They are aimed at protecting scheduled operations and at orderly development of the tour business itself. Recently a number of applications received from foreign carriers for the operation of inclusive tour charter flights series to the Continent, which did not comply with the conditions, particularly the minimum price requirement, and were not made in good time, were not authorised. Some of the carriers have lodged appeals and I am considering these.

The Deputies may have seen the recent press notice on inclusive tour charters. This was inserted in the public interest as a warning to intending travellers that before booking on an inclusive tour flight, they should satisfy themselves that the flight has been duly authorised.

The present difficulties apply to outgoing charters. I am not aware of any irregularities in regard to incoming charters and do not think that they will be affected.

Top
Share