Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 1

Written Answers. - Car Rental Industry.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

317 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the complaints, if any, his Department has received against car rental companies from tourists in each of the years from 1996 to date; and the countries of origin of the tourists making the complaints. [19617/99]

Michael Ring

Ceist:

318 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans, if any, he has to bring in legislation to regulate the car rental industry, particularly for car rental for the tourist industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19618/99]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together.

According to my Department's records, the number of complaints against car rental companies received from tourists since 1996 and the countries of origin of the complainants are as follows:

Year	Number ofComplaints	Countries of originof the complaints
1996	2	USA
1997	5	USA
	3	England
1998	2	England
	1	USA
	2	Ireland
1999	1	USA
	2	Australia

These complaints were referred to the Car Rental Council of Ireland, which is the trade association for the industry, for investigation and for report back to complainants. Member firms of the council operate in accordance with a code of conduct drawn up in conjunction with Bord Fáilte.

The car rental industry is, of course, like all business sectors already subject to a range of legislation regarding consumer protection, safety etc. and I am not aware of any plans to introduce further legislation in these areas specific to the car rental sector.