Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for their submissions, which have been informative. The questions I had intended to ask have been answered. Travel agents have appeared before the committee previously and I know many of them personally. They have had a desperate two years and are under considerable pressure to survive. At a time of crisis in the industry, excessive burdens are placed on travel agents. Compliance is a big issue. Anomalies have been highlighted at this meeting and we will need the merchant service providers to appear before the committee.

In 2020, the commission issued 181 licences, including 24 tour operator licences and 157 travel agent licences. Part of the commission's role is to monitor a variety of information including monthly and quarterly management accounts, and annual accounts. The impression we have is that when those 181 licences come up for renewal in October, there will be a significant reduction in the number applying because they are not able to survive the current crisis. From the commission's information on ongoing checks on travel agents and tour operators, does it feel that there will be 181 applications again in October or does it think that will be reduced significantly?