Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Might I suggest that if more passengers were transferred to Shannon Airport and Cork Airport, there might not be the serious, continual congestion in Dublin Airport?

I will bring Senator Buttimer back in. As it stands, it is clear from all members that there is a lacuna. We need to invite the merchant providers in. I suggest that we write to the Department of Transport. The legislation is coming from Mr. Hodnett. It is Department of Transport legislation. What is its view on this issue? We might also write to the Central Bank about the financial regulation of providers. The more immediate issue is that we have a sense of urgency about getting merchant providers into the committee so that we have an overall view. The travel agent and tour operator sector is important. It has come through a difficult time. This measure that the merchant providers are looking at is placing an impossible burden on the sector. Deputy Lowry asked how many will renew their licences. I suggest that if this measure continues, far fewer will renew it. We need to cover that.