Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2009
330 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the way he is responding to the submission from an association (details supplied) outlining their four major concerns for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4189/09]
View answer333 Deputy Tom Hayes asked the Minister for Transport his views on the recent submission from an association (details supplied) to the Commission for Civil Aviation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4362/09]
View answer335 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Transport his views on the recent submission from an association (details supplied) to the Commission for Civil Aviation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4340/09]
View answer342 Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Transport when he plans to implement the required reform of travel trade regulations to overhaul travel trade regulation and to enhance protection of the travelling consumer by introducing a system of universal protection for the travelling public, reform of the bonding requirements on agents, cutting red-tape and administrative burdens and taking a harder line on illegal trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4800/09]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 330, 333, 335 and 342 together.
Statutory responsibility for regulation of the travel trade rests with the Commission for Aviation Regulation. I have no function in this regard.
However, as the existing legislative framework for the regulation of the travel trade has been in existence since 1982 in May last year I asked the Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the travel trade legislation. The purpose of the review was to assess the operation of the current regulatory arrangements and to recommend any reforms that may be warranted.
Following an extensive consultation process, the Commission submitted a report to me on 30 December 2008 which I have published on my Department's website www.transport.ie.
I am currently examining the Commission's findings and recommendations and I will also consult with my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, on the report's findings in the context of consumer protection policy generally. I will also be meeting the Irish Travel Agents Association tomorrow where there will be a discussion on regulatory reform of the Travel Trade.
