Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator McFadden's statement on the quorum. We could do our business in a more professional manner. It does not make a lot of sense for one of us, as a Member of Parliament, to be leaving a committee to come here for a minute, leave again and go back to our committee. It is nonsensical and a sensible proposal has been suggested.

I have been doing some research on consumer law in the EU and domestically when it comes to online contracts, in particular those that pertain to airlines. Under the EU directive on consumer rights, consumers are entitled to a 14-day cooling off period for any purchases online for any reason. There is an anomaly, however, when it comes to airlines. They are a different business to many other online providers but a 24-hour cooling off period should apply to airlines for non-immediate flights. Simple mistakes or spelling errors can cause people expense and worry about their travel, and older people are often less adept at dealing with these issues online. Airlines are outliers in this area and the small print and terms and conditions are often dense and intentionally vague. Introducing a 24-hour cooling off period would result in a more transparent and fair process.Some airlines have introduced such measures, so the technology clearly exists. I hope we might get the opportunity to discuss this with the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Humphreys, in the House soon.