Written Answers Nos. 101-125
101. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the investigations that have been carried out by An Garda Síochána into the operations of Bray Garda station over the past ten years; the findings of these investigations; the consequences of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19331/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy is currently not to hand. A request has been made to the Garda Commissioner and when the information is received I will write to the Deputy directly.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
102. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a civil servant in his Department made contact with a member of An Garda Síochána in connection with the events of 23 and 24 June 2017 when a civil servant in the Department of An Taoiseach was arrested outside Cabra Garda station; and if so, the details of the contact between 23 June 2017 and to date in 2018. [19332/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to a matter which was raised in an anonymous protected disclosure. That correspondence was received in my Department on 22 November 2017 and was referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) for investigation on 8 December 2017. My Department had no knowledge of, or involvement in, the events referred to by the Deputy prior to receiving the protected disclosure in November 2017.
As the Deputy will be aware, this matter was the subject of media coverage in late 2017 and early 2018. The Deputy will recall that he wrote to me regarding the matter and I also answered parliamentary questions from other Deputies relating to these issues.
I am assured that there has been no attempt to interfere in these matters by my Department. I am further assured that, with the exception of normal engagement in the context of parliamentary questions and media inquiries, no official in my Department has made contact with a member of An Garda Síochána in connection with the events referred to by the Deputy.
103. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of establishing a stand-alone intelligence agency either within the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána or a stand-alone agency based on current information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19341/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Commission on the Future of Policing is currently undertaking a comprehensive examination of all aspects of policing in Ireland, including the provision of security services to the State by An Garda Síochána. The Commission is due to report in September this year and I look forward to receiving the output of its extensive body of work and the recommendations that it may make in this and in other areas. As the Deputy will appreciate, the question of such an agency, and the associated costs, were it to be contemplated, would be a matter for consideration not just by my Department but by others also.
104. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the provision of the new male and female facilities for Limerick Prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19363/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that an Invitation to Tender for the construction of a new wing for 100 male prisoners and a new unit to accommodate 50 female prisoners at Limerick prison was issued by the Irish Prison Service on my behalf on July 20th last. The original date for receipt of tenders was set as November 30th 2017 and this was extended to January 25th 2018.
Four tenders were received by the tender return date and these are currently under detailed evaluation. Due to the confidential nature of the evaluation process, I am unable to provide further information at this juncture other than to say that I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that a preferred bidder is expected to be identified in the coming weeks.
105. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amount spent on facilitating departmental members' attendance at social media training conferences or other external events. [19401/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI will refer the Deputy to his previous questions 188 and 189 of 28 March 2018 and 106 and 107 of 25 April 2018, in which I detailed the cost of all social media training received by staff in my Department from 2011 to date. I can also inform the Deputy that, other than the costs detailed in those previous questions, no additional cost was incurred by my Department in facilitating staff members' attendance at those courses.
106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency and eligibility for long-term residency and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19488/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of a current application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy. This person currently has permission to reside in the State until 17 September 2018. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, which governs the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, as well as the relevant application forms, is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie . The website also contains guidance on the completion of an application for naturalisation and an on-line naturalisation residency calculator which individuals may find of assistance in establishing if the statutory residency requirements are met.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if family reunification can be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19490/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that from the limited details provided it would appear that the person in question has not engaged with the immigration service since their return to the State and they should do so as soon as possible.
In this regard and to allow for a full examination of their circumstances, they should be advised to write directly to Unit 2, Residence Division, Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 supplying the following documentation in relation to themselves, and if applicable, in relation to any spouse or children that might be currently in the State.
1. Full copy of their passport/s
2. Copy of their GNIB card/s
3. Copy of marriage certificate (if applicable)
4. Brief outline of their history in the State to include when and where they entered the State as well as a brief outline of their current circumstances.
5. Their current address.
6. Brief outline of future intentions in the State
7. Proof of education in the State
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if long-term residency status, stamp 4 and naturalisation will be awarded in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19491/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a deportation order made on 16 December 2010.
Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned requesting that the deportation order be revoked, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). All relevant aspects of the case will be considered before a decision is made.
The Deputy might wish to note that the decision to ensue from the consideration of this request will be to have the existing deportation order ‘affirmed’ or ‘revoked’. Once such a decision has been made, this decision will be notified in writing. In the meantime, the deportation order remains valid and in place.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when long-term residency status, stamp 4 and eligibility for naturalisation will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19492/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a representative of the INIS has written to the person concerned in recent days in relation to their position in the State. The position in the State of the person concerned can be further considered upon receipt of their response.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to an application for residency on the basis of parentage to an Irish born child in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19493/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of an application for a right of residency in the State, accompanied by the right to work, based on parentage of an Irish citizen child in respect of the person referred to by the Deputy. I am informed that information on the application process, including guidelines for completing the application form, can be found on the INIS website www.inis.gov.ie.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to the determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19494/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of a current application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy. This person currently has permission to reside in the State until 23 September 2020. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for a certificate of naturalisation if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, which governs the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation.
Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation, as well as the relevant application forms, is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. The website also contains guidance on the completion of an application for naturalisation and an on-line naturalisation residency calculator which individuals may find of assistance in establishing if the statutory residency requirements are met.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and or expected residency position in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19495/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 16 December 2010. That Order remains valid and in place.
The person concerned made a request, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to have that Order revoked. Following the detailed consideration of the request made, a decision was taken to affirm the Order and that decision was communicated to the person concerned by letter dated 16 June 2017.
The person concerned lodged judicial review proceedings in the High Court, challenging the decision to affirm the Deportation Order. The High Court gave its Judgment in the matter on 23 January, 2018. The High Court did not set aside the decision to affirm the Deportation Order but instead directed that certain specified matters be re-examined. I am advised that this Judgment is being examined by the relevant personnel in the INIS at the present time. Once this process has been completed, the case of the person concerned can be given more detailed consideration.
I am also advised that, separately, the person concerned has sought to be re-admitted to the international protection process. This request is under consideration at present. The Deputy might wish to note that the decision to ensue from the consideration of this request will be to grant or refuse consent to reapply for international protection. Written notification of this decision will issue shortly.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if stamp 4 status can issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19496/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a deportation order made on 11 March 2005.
The person was deported from the State on 04 June 2006, however, according to information received from her legal representatives, she returned to this State the year after she was deported.
Representations were received on behalf of the person concerned requesting that the deportation order be revoked, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This request will be considered as soon as possible.
The Deputy might wish to note that the decision to ensue from the consideration of this request will be to have the existing deportation order ‘affirmed’ or ‘revoked’. Once such a decision has been made, this decision will be notified in writing. In the meantime, the deportation order remains valid and in place.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19497/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 503 of 17 April, 2018 and No. 192 of 19 April, 2018.
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the applicant was advised of the reasons for the visa application being refused, and the decision could be appealed within two months. No appeal was received within that timeframe. However, it is open to the applicant to make a fresh application including all supporting information or documentation they wish to have taken into consideration and it is suggested that this avenue be pursued.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to visamail@justice.ie.
115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps which can be taken to regularise the residency in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19498/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned was the holder of an immigration permission valid until 22 November 2016. Her permission to remain in the State has now expired. To date, she has not applied for a renewal of this permission. It is open to the person concerned to have her permission to remain further renewed. Any such application must be made in writing and should be addressed to, Residence Division 4, INIS, Department of Justice and Equality, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the relevant section of his Department has received an association of membership of local voluntary groups as per correspondence from the repatriation unit dated 7 March 2018 in the case of a person (details supplied); if documentation and cards can be returned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19499/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a deportation order, made on 11 March 2005, following a comprehensive and thorough examination of their asylum claim and a detailed examination of the representations they submitted for consideration under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).
The person concerned, through their legal representative, has made a request to have that deportation order revoked, based on the provisions of Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This request will be considered as soon as it is possible to do so. The Deputy might wish to note that the resulting decision will be to 'affirm' or to 'revoke' the existing Deportation Order.
The documentation referred to by the Deputy has been received by the Repatriation Unit and will be returned in the coming days.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for long-term residency and stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19500/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, if an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State, for confidentiality reasons it is not the practice to comment on such applications and the applicant or his legal representative should contact the International Protection Office directly either by email to info@ipo.gov.ie, by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
Following the commencement of the International Protection Act 2015 on 31 December 2016, new arrangements for the investigation and determination of applications for international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) and cases involving permission to remain in the State have been introduced. Such applications are now processed, as part of a single application procedure, by a the International Protection Office (IPO) which has replaced the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) from that date. The staff of that Office (the Chief International Protection Officer and International Protection Officers) are independent in the performance of their protection functions.
For your information, on 27 February 2017, the Chief International Protection Officer, following consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published a statement on the Prioritisation of Applications under the International Protection Act 2015 which is available on the website of the International Protection Office (www.ipo.gov.ie).
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position with regard to residency and stamp 4 status in the case of a person (details supplied); if this is sufficient to accommodate a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19502/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it has received a request for permission to remain in the State in respect of the person mentioned by the Deputy.
Please be aware that this case was among a large number of such cases held by this Department pending the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment in respect of Luximon and Balchand which were finalised on 24 April 2018. At this time, the INIS state that it may take some time to assess the above mentioned applications and ask if the persons concerned might bear with them whilst undertaking this task.
The person's application has not been examined in full at this time, if further documentation or clarification of any matter related to the application is required from the person concerned, we will write to them requesting same.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to long-term residency and eligibility for stamp 4 and naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19503/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
120. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of fines or fixed penalty notices that were issued to motorists (details supplied) in each of the years 2012 to 2017, in tabular form. [19532/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of fines and fixed penalty notices (details supplied) that were issued to motorists in each of the years 2012 to 2017, in tabular form. [19533/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra122. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of fines or fixed penalty notices (details supplied) that were issued to motorists in each of the years 2012 to 2017, in tabular form. [19534/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 120 to 122, inclusive, together.
I have requested a report from An Garda Síochána in relation to the statistics sought by the Deputy and I will be in contact with the Deputy directly on receipt of these reports.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
123. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the introduction of a sectorial employment order for the construction industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19462/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2016, the Construction Industry Federation made an application to the Labour Court to review the pay, pension and sick pay entitlements of craftsmen, construction operatives and apprentices in the Construction Sector. The Labour Court conducted its Review, which included a public consultation and a hearing of interested parties, and submitted its recommendation to me on 13 July 2017.
Having examined the Labour Court Recommendation, and being satisfied that the Court complied with the provisions of the 2015 Act, I accepted the Labour Court recommendation. A draft Order to give effect in law to the recommendation was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 22 August 2017. The draft Order was considered by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation on 3 October 2017 and approved by both the Seanad and the Dáil on 10 and 17 October 2017 respectively. I signed the Order entitled Sectoral Order (Construction Sector) 2017 – S.I. 455 of 2017 - into law on the 19th October 2017 the terms of which came into effect on that date.
124. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the level of grant aid awarded to companies by IDA Ireland in 2017 by county in tabular form. [19351/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the IDA that information on the total of grants paid to client companies in 2017 will be made available once they have been audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. This audit should be completed by October this year.
125. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her attention has been drawn to certain commercial practices in the car rental industry which have been rejected by Governments in other states (details supplied); the steps she is taking to address them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19388/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs much of the car hire by consumers occurs outside their country of residence and as the main companies engaged in car hire operate on a trans-national basis, action to tackle anti-consumer practices in the car hire sector is most effectively undertaken on an EU-wide basis. In response to an increase in complaints from consumers about car rental, in 2015 the European Commission and national consumer authorities in EU Member States, including the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, engaged through a common position with the five leading car rental companies with a view to securing better compliance with EU consumer protection legislation. The five companies - Avis, Europcar, Enterprise, Hertz and Sixt - account for around two-thirds of all private car rentals in the EU. As a result of this engagement, the joint action was concluded in January 2017 following changes made by the companies to a number of their commercial practices, including some of the practices referred to in the details supplied by the Deputy. The companies undertook that car rental prices should include all unavoidable charges, that information on additional insurance should be clear, that consumers should always be given the option to get and return a car with a full tank and that procedures for inspection of vehicle damage and for handling of damage claims should be clear and fair. The European Commission and the national consumer authorities agreed that they would continue to monitor the car rental sector closely. I am aware that since the agreement with the main car rental companies there have been further complaints about practices in the sector in respect of matters such as overcharging for repairs. This underlines the need for continued monitoring of the sector by national consumer protection authorities and the European Commission.
I have referred the details provided by the Deputy to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for consideration. Those details refer among other things to a charge by one car hire company for the use of a credit card for the purpose of a collision damage waiver. As the Deputy may be aware, surcharges by traders for the use by consumers of the most commonly used credit cards have been prohibited since January 2018 under the Regulations that give effect to Directive (EU) 2015/2366 on payment services. Any questions about this aspect of the issue should be referred to the Minister for Finance who has responsibility for legislation on payment services.
