Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on halving the cost of bonding for travel agents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12654/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Statutory responsibility for regulation of the travel trade rests with the Commission for Aviation Regulation.

As the existing legislative framework for the regulation of the travel trade has been in existence since 1982 in May last year I asked the Commission for Aviation Regulation, to undertake a comprehensive review of the travel trade legislation. The purpose of the review was to assess the operation of the current regulatory arrangements and to recommend any reforms that may be warranted. Following an extensive consultation process, the Commission submitted their report to me on 30 December 2008 which I have published on my Department's website www.transport.ie.

I am currently examining the Commissions findings and recommendations and I am consulting with my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, on the report's findings in the context of consumer protection policy generally.