Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
822. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to support full refunds to customers who have had their travel cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions; the position regarding regulation EU261/2004 which establishes the right to refunds if flights are cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7853/20]
View answer835. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to ensure travellers are entitled to cash refunds for cancelled flights. [8028/20]
View answer844. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if existing legislation will be enforced to ensure those whose flights have been cancelled can be repaid in full in the same manner in which they originally purchased them. [8155/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 822, 835 and 844 together.
Consumer protections for airline passengers and for holiday-makers who book trips through travel agents and tour operators are enshrined in EU law. EU Regulation 261/2004 requires airlines to provide a full cash refund within 7 days in the event that a flight is cancelled by the airline; and EU Directive 2302/2015 on Package Travel requires travel agents and tour operators to provide a full cash refund within 14 days in the event that a package holiday is cancelled, by either the customer or the holiday provider.
The Commission for Aviation Regulation, which is an independent statutory body under my remit, has responsibility for enforcing airline refund obligations in Ireland, and I understand that the Commission recently wrote to all airlines operating routes that service Ireland, reminding them of their legal obligations to provide refunds for cancelled bookings. I am aware that there are significant delays making refunds, and while I can appreciate that there are genuine administrative challenges dealing with the unprecedented level of cancellations, the legal obligation to provide a refund is clear and unchanged. Anyone having difficulties securing a refund should contact the Commission. Further advice is available on its dedicated passenger rights website www.flightrights.ie.
With respect to consumer rights under the Package Travel Directive, where customers of travel agents and/or tour operators are not receiving requested refunds, then they have recourse to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
