John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

223. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a clear directive will be issued in respect of foreign travel and of moneys paid to airlines should a person not travel due to Covid-19 advice or regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15315/20]

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

246. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide clarity for those persons who have booked holidays abroad regarding clear guidelines for travel; and if they will be compensated for choosing to follow current guidelines that would leave them out-of-pocket. [15587/20]

Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

249. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if refunds will be arranged to be provided to persons who have booked foreign travel that has been deemed non-essential in cases in which their holidays are due to commence before 20 July 2020; the advice being provided on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15631/20]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

258. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to ensure that persons who paid for airline travel and in circumstances in which it is necessary to cancel such travel due to Covid-19 restrictions and quarantine requirements will have full refunds of the cost of the tickets; the engagement he has had to date with the airline carriers; if he will ensure that consumers receive fair treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15830/20]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

270. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he is taking to ensure airlines refund customers who have followed advice to restrict foreign travel for essential business only and cancelled flights leaving many thousands out of pocket; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16109/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 223, 246, 249, 258 and 270 together.

As the Deputies are aware, current Government advice to people is to avoid all non-essential travel overseas, based on the advices of our public health experts. However, there are no flight restrictions in place in Ireland, and there have not been any at any stage since the Government first responded to the threat from Covid-19. This means that the operation of flights remains a commercial decision for airlines. People can still travel if they consider that it is essential to do so and so long as they comply with self-isolation requirements on their return.

As things stand in law, air passenger rights are protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, which covers the rights of passenger in instances of cancellations. However, if a flight goes ahead and a customer either cancels or does not use their ticket, they are not entitled to a refund under EU law. That said, I understand that the main Irish airlines are currently allowing customers who are booked to travel over the summer months to move their flights with zero change fee. Where flights are cancelled by the airlines, people are entitled to a full cash refund.

Clearly the existing consumer protections and legal obligations on airlines and the broader travel sector did not envisage the current circumstances of mass cancellations and stringent travel restrictions across the Globe. That has, not surprisingly, put the entire system under immense pressure and it is causing real difficulties for people and businesses. I am mindful that the options put forward by airlines may not be fair or workable for customers in all instances, and it is something that I will be raising with the industry at the first available opportunity. Clearly, if the industry is seeking to secure State financial support to help it through the current period - which is on of the recommendations from the Aviation Taskforce - then a commitment to fairness and clarity on consumer rights will have to be offered in return, at the very least.