Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the review of the Travel Trade Act being carried out by his Department; the next steps in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17977/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Statutory responsibility for regulation of the travel trade lies with the Commission for Aviation Regulation. As the existing legislative framework for the regulation of the travel trade has been in existence since 1982, I asked the commission 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 reforms that may be warranted. Following an extensive consultation process, the commission submitted its report to me on 30 December 2008. I have published it on my Department's website, www.transport.ie. I am examining the commission's findings and recommendations. I have consulted my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, on the report's findings in the context of consumer protection policy generally. Consultations are ongoing with a view to identifying ways of reducing the regulatory burden on the travel trade while maintaining appropriate consumer protection.