Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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481. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the practice of car rental companies requesting significant credit card deposits for damage excesses when tourists arrive to pick up rental vehicles at airports; if he will raise these concerns with rental card companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8204/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Firstly, I must state that I have no regulatory function in relation to the car rental industry.  However, the two tourism agencies under the aegis of my Department include information and advice on their websites regarding car rental in Ireland.  In this way, they aim to make tourists aware of issues pertaining to car rental and avoid misunderstandings or unforeseen charges.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, under the remit of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, is responsible for the enforcement of consumer protection legislation.  The practices and the terms and conditions of car rental companies' contracts with consumers must comply with the provisions of relevant consumer protection legislation.

I am also advised by the Minister that, in 2015, the European Commission in co-operation with enforcement authorities in a number of Member States engaged with the five main European car rental companies with a view to ensuring that their practices were in line with the requirements of European Union consumer protection legislation.  The companies concerned undertook to make a number of changes to their commercial practices and terms and conditions. This included the provision of clearer information about deposits charged on the consumer's payment card and giving consumers a reasonable opportunity to challenge charges for damage before any payment is taken from the consumer's card.

Finally, I am also aware that the Car Rental Council of Ireland, an industry body representing the main car rental companies, operates its own Code of Practice for its members.  Amongst other commitments, this states that a member company "shall in particular provide detailed information on the various options that are available for areas such as fuel policy, damage excess and allowed mileage".