asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will introduce legislation to control package holiday pirates.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Package Holidays.
30.
Under the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1965, air flights and services to and from Ireland are subject to prior authorisation by my Department. In accordance with this provision, package holidays and inclusive tours by air are governed by conditions for the operation of inclusive tours. Where breaches of these conditions come to light before a particular flight has taken place, flight authorisation may be revoked or refused. Continued breaches would lead to the refusal of all flight authorisations in respect of flights organised by the operator involved.
In addition, members of the public can guard against disappointment with holiday arrangements by dealing only with reputable agents.
Would the Minister consider the introduction of a system of bond or deposit in respect of certain organisations who are involved in this type of traffic?
As I said at the end of the reply, it would be desirable that the public should deal with reputable agents. Many people may go on only one holiday in five years and they do not know a good agent from a bad one. I shall certainly be looking at the question of whether agents should be registered or subject to some form of bond system. I have had some complaints, not many, from people who have been duped by travel agents.