Vol. 488 No. 1
103 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if a person who receives a gift of a travel voucher from a travel company, which subsequently goes into liquidation, can obtain reimbursement for the amount involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5517/98]
104 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the fact that travel agents bonds do not provide financial protection to ensure the repayment of moneys furnished to travel agents for the purpose of travel vouchers; the necessary action, if any, she will take to extend the bonding cover to address this anomaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5518/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.
Bonds in respect of licensed travel firms cover vouchers which have been tendered as payment or part-payment for an overseas travel contract. The bonds do not cover vouchers which have not been used by customers prior to the travel firm ceasing to trade. My Department has recently written to all licensed travel agencies asking them to draw the attention of their customers to this.
I am currently examining the legislation in this area with a view to establishing whether any change in the position is desirable.
