9 Oct 2013, 13:38
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications this morning heard that new EU legislation on air passenger rights had to strike a balance between upholding the entitlement of travellers to be treated fairly while not placing excessive burdens on air carriers.
9 October 2013
Minister Leo Varadkar TD was briefing the Committee in advance of the upcoming Council of Ministers meeting taking place in Luxembourg tomorrow. The Committee had the opportunity this morning to feed into Ireland’s approach to the agenda items, which also includes progressing a common European air traffic control system as well as common railway safety standards.
Chairman of the Committee John O’Mahony TD says: “The orientation talks in Luxembourg tomorrow are intended to chart a common Council approach to an important piece legislation for European air passengers and airlines. As an island nation heavily dependent on air connections for our prosperity, the EU legislation on air travel being discussed has significant implications for Ireland.
“Minister Varadkar outlined some concerns around the proposals that relate to missed connections and the level of compensation for long delays. As currently drafted, the legislation would mean that a smaller European carrier feeding into a larger hub would have to bear the entire cost of the longer flight in the event of a missed connection. The Committee shared the concerns that this potential cost burden for carriers that might adversely impact on the quality of the connections to major European airports available to Irish passengers. Moreover, the Committee takes on board the Minister's contention that being treated well by airlines in the event of a delay may be more important to air passengers than monetary compensation afterwards. It was also argued that compensation should be linked to the price of the original ticket as is the case with other modes of transport.
“The Committee will continue to monitor the progress of this legislation closely, with a view to ensuring that new EU law in the area provides adequate protection for passengers, without placing an unfair cost on air carriers.”
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Committee on Transport and Communications
Deputies: Paudie Coffey (Vice-Chair), Michael Colreavy, Timmy Dooley, Dessie Ellis, Tom Fleming, Brendan Griffin, Noel Harrington, Seán Kenny, Éamonn Maloney, Helen McEntee, Mattie McGrath, Michael Moynihan, Patrick O’Donovan, John O’Mahony (Chair) and Ann Phelan
Senators: Sean D. Barrett, Terry Brennan, Éamonn Coghlan, Paschal Mooney, Ned O’Sullivan and John Whelan