Package Holidays and Linked Travel Arrangements
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When you book a package holiday, or enter a linked travel arrangement, you are protected by consumer laws including the EU Package Travel Directive (EU 2015/2302).
A package holiday is one sold at an inclusive price and:
• includes at least 2 different types of travel services
• covers at least 24 hours or includes an overnight stay
• all from the same seller
A linked travel arrangement is when you book one travel service and are invited (usually through a website link) to book a second service on another website. You have less protection in the case of linked travel arrangements.
Protections include that customers retain the right to a full refund of all payments where a package holiday is cancelled by the traveller or organiser due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances. In addition, in the event of the travel agent or tour operator becoming insolvent, customers are entitled to a full refund if they are unable to travel and are also repatriated if they are already abroad.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) operates a consumer protection scheme for customers of travel agents and tour operators established in Ireland. If you find you are out of pocket as a result of one of these travel agents or tour operators going out of business, you may be covered by this scheme. For further information visit their website https://www.iaa.ie/travel-trade/consumer
Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission at www.ccpc.ie may be able to offer you further advice in relation to consumer rights regarding package holidays. Information about Package Travel and general travel consumer rights is available on their website at https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/travel/package-holidays/
Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982
Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act, 1995
State Airports (Shannon Group) Act, 2014
S.I. No. 99 of 1983, Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982, (Commencement) Order, 1983
S.I. No. 102 of 1983, Tour Operators and Travel Agents (Bonding) Regulations, 1983
S.I. No. 104 of 1983, Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982 (Claims by Customers) Regulations, 1983
S.I. No. 139 of 1984, Travellers' Protection Fund Regulations, 1984
S.I. No. 434 of 1986, Travellers' Protection Fund (Amendment) Regulations, 1986
S.I. No. 182 of 1993, Tour Operators (Licensing) Regulations, 1993
S.I. No. 183 of 1993, Travel Agents (Licensing) Regulations, 1993
S.I. No. 212 of 1995, Tour Operators (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 1995
S.I. No. 213 of 1995, Travel Agents (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 1995
S.I. No. 235 of 1995, Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act, 1995 (Commencement Order), 1995
S.I. No. 236 of 1995, Approved Bodies (Fees) Regulations, 1995
S.I. No. 270 of 1995, Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act, 1995 (Bonds) Regulations, 1995
S.I. No. 271 of 1995, Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act, 1995 (Occasional Organisers) Regulations, 1995 S.I
S.I. No. 527 of 2006, Travel Agents (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 2006
S.I No. 526 of 2006, Tour Operators (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 2006
S.I. No. 659 of 2010 Travel Agents (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 2010
S.I. No. 660 of 2010 Tour Operators (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 2010
SI 689 of 2011 Aviation Regulation Act 2001 (Levy No. 12) Regulations
S.I. No. 61 of 2012 Travel Agents (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 2012
S.I. No. 80 of 2019 European Union (Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements) Regulations 2019
S.I. No 105 of 2019 European Union (Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements) (No. 2) Regulations 2019
S.I. No 218 of 2020 Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act 1982 (Disbursements from Fund) Regulations 2020
S.I. No 219 of 2020 European Union (Package Travel) Regulations 2020
S.I. No 105 of 2021 Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982, (Disbursements from Fund) Regulations 2021
S.I. No 290 of 2021 Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982, (Claims by Customers) Regulations, 2021
S.I. No. 644 of 2022 Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982, (Disbursements from Fund) Regulations, 2022