Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

As colleagues will be aware, there is no proposed amendment to section 48 at this stage. I am, of course, aware of the points which have been made in particular by the travel agents and their concerns about payment by credit card and the additional costs they may incur arising from section 48. The point has also been made strongly, particular by consumer rights' interests, that across a wide range of areas no such charge is imposed by traders on the high street or elsewhere. There is clearly a downside, as illustrated by the arguments put forward by the Irish Travel Agents Association, ITAA, representatives of which I met earlier today who put forward its case very strongly. However, in general terms there is also considerable advantage in making provision for non-cash payments, in particular. A move has been made towards electronic payment methods for very good reasons, not least issues to do with the safety of cash in transit as well as many other considerations which are all positive. Notwithstanding that, the travel agents have a particular concern and there are other areas where consumers have expressed a great deal of concern about either hidden charges arising from credit card transactions or sometimes fairly transparent additional charges. This last may be seen when payments can only be made by credit card, which is the case with one particular company and that is covered by section 49.

Certainly the view of the Minister and the Department is that on balance, the provisions of section 48, as they stand, are in the best interests of the consumer. While account was not taken, in the manner described by Deputy Hogan, in terms of having a long debate and a good deal of consultation on the issue with the travel agents in particular, the Minister is of the view that the provision, as it stands in the Bill, merits support on balance in that it benefits consumers to a great extent and does not appear to impact in the way that is being argued. There are costs associated with payments by all methods, not just credit cards. The concerns of the travel agents in particular, about credit card payments, have been made strongly, but the Minister is of the view that at this stage section 48 is of such benefit that it ought to be left as it stands.

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