Airline compo move ‘shows contempt for consumers’
Fine Gael enterprise spokesperson Phil Hogan yesterday claimed the Government was only paying lip service to its commitment to protect consumers.
It followed a report in yesterday’s Irish Examiner that the Department of Transport had taken a decision in principle to assign new functions to the Director of Consumer Affairs, Carmel Foley, without prior consultation or discussion.
Ms Foley’s office will have responsibility for handling compensation claims by travellers against airlines from next month. Under new EU legislation, passengers will be entitled to new levels of compensation for cancellations, delays and denied boarding. However, Ms Foley expressed concern that no discussions had taken place with department officials about providing her with additional staff and resources to handle complaints from air passengers.
From February 17, airline customers who face delays of over two hours on short-haul flights can claim free meals, refreshments and phone calls as well as hotel accommodation in some cases. They will also be entitled to a reimbursement of the cost of tickets plus compensation for overbooking of flights and longer delays.
Mr Hogan said it was the second time in the past few months that the Government had snubbed the consumer watchdog.
“Recently, the Government rejected a suggestion from the director that doctors, dentists and other professional service providers should be obliged to display price lists,” he said.
“The Government’s shabby treatment of the Director of Consumer Affairs is typical of its contempt for the welfare of Irish consumers,” he added.
Mr Hogan said it also demonstrated the need for a more powerful consumer watchdog that could compel the Government to give such issues a higher priority. “A consumer rights enforcer would tackle the vested interests that lie behind “rip-off Ireland”, he said.
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