Written answers

Wednesday, 20 July 2016

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Travel Trade Sector

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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423. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of regulations that travel agency and tour operator bonds are only used when a company is unable to meet its commitments, either when the company has no funds to pay its commitments, or when the company refuses to pay its commitments and the Commission for Aviation Regulation insist payment is due, if it is the case that these are the points when the bond can be called upon by the Commission for Aviation Regulation. [23241/16]

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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428. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bonds that have been exercised by the Commission for Aviation Regulation over the past five years; and the details of the circumstances of each case. [23246/16]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​I propose to take Questions Nos. 423 and 428 together.

The Commission for Aviation Regulation was established under the Aviation Regulation Act 2001 to regulate certain aspects of the aviation and travel trade sectors in Ireland, and its functions include the licensing of tour operators and travel agents.

The questions raised are operational matters for the Commission for Aviation Regulation. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's questions to the Commission for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.​​

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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424. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedures followed by the Commission for Aviation Regulation if existing travel agency and tour operator companies do not apply for a licence. [23242/16]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​The Commission for Aviation Regulation was established under the Aviation Regulation Act 2001 to regulate certain aspects of the aviation and travel trade sectors in Ireland, and its functions include the licensing of tour operators and travel agents. The question raised is an operational matter for the Commission for Aviation Regulation. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Commission for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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425. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, and when, there is a dispute between the Commission for Aviation Regulation and an agent operator, since the commission is answerable to the Houses of the Oireachtas, does it consult with another body before making a decision on how to proceed. [23243/16]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Commission for Aviation Regulation was established under the Aviation Regulation Act 2001 to regulate certain aspects of the aviation and travel trade sectors in Ireland, and its functions include the licensing of tour operators and travel agents.

The questions raised are operational matters for the Commission for Aviation Regulation. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Commission for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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426. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Commission for Aviation Regulation can exercise its authority for the issuing or non-issuing of a travel licence to a tour operator or travel agent and the criteria set down in legislation or guidelines to obtain such a licence. [23244/16]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Section 6 of the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act 1982, as amended by section 28 of the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act 1995, sets out the general criteria for the granting of a tour operator or travel agent licence. Those general criteria relate to the financial, business and organisational resources of an applicant for such a licence, as well as the fitness of that person to carry on business as a tour operator or travel agent.

The Commission for Aviation Regulation was established under the Aviation Regulation Act 2001 to regulate certain aspects of the aviation and travel trade sectors in Ireland, and its functions include the licensing of tour operators and travel agents in accordance with the 1982 Act as amended.

Guidelines for obtaining a tour operator or travel agent licence are available from the Commission for Aviation Regulation and I have referred the Deputy's question to the Commission for direct reply in that regard.

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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427. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason it might be necessary for the Commission for Aviation Regulation to request additional funds, on top of the prescribed fee, for a travel agent or tour operator who is renewing their existing licence; if the operator is subsequently asked by the commission to provide additional funds in order to renew their licence; the circumstances where this applies, when all necessary documentation and other criteria have been submitted; and in a scenario where no licence is issued, if a refund of those fees would be given to the operator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23245/16]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Commission for Aviation Regulation was established under the Aviation Regulation Act 2001 to regulate certain aspects of the aviation and travel trade sectors in Ireland, and its functions include the licensing of tour operators and travel agents.

The questions raised are operational matters for the Commission for Aviation Regulation. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Commission for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

Photo of Billy KelleherBilly Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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429. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applicants that have applied for travel agent licences; the number of persons that applied for tour operator licences; the amount each was charged, gross figure and broken down per charge or fee levy, giving reason for each payment; the number that were declined per category and breakdown provided stating reason for refusal highlighting if they were new applicants or existing, in tabular form, for the past ten years. [23247/16]

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Commission for Aviation Regulation was established under the Aviation Regulation Act 2001 to regulate certain aspects of the aviation and travel trade sectors in Ireland, and its functions include the licensing of tour operators and travel agents. The questions raised are operational matters for the Commission for Aviation Regulation. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Commission for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

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