Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Mannion. This meeting was prompted by concerns raised by the travel agency sector. Ms Mannion referred to significant sums. The sector is reporting that in some instances, a cash security of €1.5 million is being sought at short notice. It has expressed concern that this may have an impact on the sector and that it may, in fact, contribute to and cause failures within the sector. It has raised a further concern that there has been no indication or basis outlined for the decisions being made by the merchant service providers. There have been references to risk but there is no proof of that risk and no clear indication. There has been a suggestion that a differentiation has not been made between the bonded system here and the non-bonded system elsewhere, or between Britain and Ireland. The processes employed in Britain are just being transferred to Ireland in an entirely different context, and that is of concern.

Is the commission aware of that concern? Does it share that concern for an industry for which the commission has responsibility in licensing? Does Ms Mannion have an opinion on how that issue could be resolved? What level of engagement has the commission had with the merchant service providers, for example, and what have been their asks? I note the point about the 60-day period versus the 120-day period. Have there been any other requests? What useful role can the committee play in supporting efforts to find a quick resolution to this issue?