Peter Barry
Question:32 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if travel companies are entitled to insist that travel insurance be placed with them rather than permitting the customer to make his own private arrangements.
Written Answers. - Travel Insurance.
I take it that the issue in question arises in the context of the Competition Authority's consideration of a notification (CA/31/92E — Falcon Holidays and Ben McArdle Ltd — Exclusive dealing in package holiday insurance) seeking a licence or certificate under the Competition Act, 1991.
I have asked the Authority to give urgent attention to this case. The relevant sections of the Act, provides, inter alia, that is, in the Authority's opinion, the arrangements notified have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition in trade in any goods or services in the State or in any part of the State, they do not qualify for a certificate. Consideration is then given to the question of whether the arrangements qualify for a licence of exemption. The Act sets out strict criteria which an agreement must satisfy in order to gain a licence of exemption. A licence is granted for a specific period and may be subject to certain conditions.