Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is very welcome. I raise the issue of travel vouchers for customers of airlines. At the outset, I commend the Irish Travel Agents Association on its advocacy, work and representation on behalf of people. In the context of the next phase of the Covid-19 recovery plan, it is important that we have a national aviation restart plan and a comprehensive plan for the hospitality, retail, tourism and travel sectors.

A number of people have raised with me the issuing and honouring of vouchers by airlines. When vouchers were first issued for cancelled flights, if the person did not use the voucher by the expiry date, which is after one year, a refund would be issued. Airlines then issued vouchers for a period of five years so that they would not have to pay out on them. That was not an issue for most people because they knew they would use the voucher within that period. Customers who have accepted vouchers from airlines under EU Regulation 261/2004 can reject the voucher and receive cash at any point.

I ask for clarity and certainty to be given to the travelling public and also to travel agents who are receiving calls and emails from people. The issue relates to travel agents and members of the travelling public who have been dealing with airlines in terms of the honouring of vouchers when the 12 months are up. As many of us know, this time last year we thought we would not be in this position with travel curtailed. People are now looking to travel in May, June, July and August of this year and they cannot. I ask that certainty and clarity be given to members of the travelling public regarding EU law and its relationship to the people here in Ireland in terms of the five-year expiry date. Clarity should also be given to travel agents whose clients have been given a one-year extension. Could that be extended to five years? The customer, under EU Regulation 261/2004, retains the right to a cash refund.

I am calling on the airlines to be fair and honest with people in terms of the honouring of vouchers. I ask them to be flexible and work with the IATA and its customers regarding the matter. The website flightrights.ieis where people can find their entitlements and what can and cannot be done. I appeal to the airlines and the Government to ensure that the rights of the travelling public are upheld.I also make an appeal for the expiry dates for airline vouchers to be extended and for a flexible approach to be taken in this regard. I understand it is a very pressurised and difficult time for many in the travel industry, especially for the airlines. I hope the Minister's reply will show the policy being flexible on behalf of the travelling public.