S.I. No. 183/1993 - Travel Agents (Licensing) Regulations, 1993.

S.I. No. 183 of 1993.

TRAVEL AGENTS (LICENSING) REGULATIONS, 1993.

I, BRIAN COWEN, Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 7 , 12 and 25 of the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982 (No. 3 of 1982), and the Communications (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) (No. 2) Order, 1987 ( S.I. No. 92 of 1987 ) (as adapted by the Tourism, Transport and Communications (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order, 1993 ( S.I. No. 17 of 1993 )), and, insofar as the Regulations relate to the specification of fees and charges, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, hereby make the following Regulations:

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Travel Agents (Licensing) Regulations, 1993.

2. These Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of July, 1993.

3. These Regulations shall apply to overseas travel contracts, including tour or package arrangements based on the scheduled services of a transport carrier, in respect of which the applicant is acting as agent of a tour operator, a carrier or a member of the public.

4. In these Regulations—

"the Act" means the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982 (No. 3 of 1982);

"licensable turnover" means the total of receipts by an applicant for a travel agent's licence in respect of overseas travel contracts to which these Regulations apply during the period covered by the applicant's latest audited accounts;

"licensee" means the holder of a travel agent's licence;

"the Minister" means the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications;

"projected licensable turnover" means the total of receipts estimated by an applicant for a travel agent's licence in respect of overseas travel contracts to which these Regulations apply during the period of time in the future for which a licence is being sought;

"projected total turnover" means the sum total of all receipts estimated by an applicant for a travel agent's licence during the period of time in the future for which a licence is being sought;

"total turnover" means the sum total of all receipts by an applicant for a travel agent's licence during the period covered by the applicant's latest audited accounts;

"travel agent's licence" means a licence granted under section 6 of the Act;

5. An application for a travel agent's licence shall be addressed to the Secretary, Department of Transport, Energy and Communications, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

6. ( a ) An application for a travel agent's licence shall be in the Form and contain the information specified in the First Schedule to these Regulations;

( b ) A travel agent's licence shall be in the Form specified in the Second Schedule to these Regulations.

7. ( a ) An application for a travel agent's licence shall be accompanied by the applicant's latest accounts, duly audited and certified, covering a 12 month accounting period ending on a date not earlier than 12 months before the date of application.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph ( a ) of this Regulation, the Minister may require a licensee to furnish to the Minister the licensee's audited financial statements by a specified date following the end of the licensee's 12 month accounting period as stipulated by the Minister.

8. A person who applies for a travel agent's licence shall, if the Minister so requires, furnish information additional to that specified in the First Schedule to these Regulations to enable the Minister to satisfy himself as to any or all of the matters specified in section 6 (3) of the Act.

9. Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6 of the Act, the provisions of Regulation 7 of the European Communities (Transport Auxiliaries) Regulations, 1988 ( S.I. No. 18 of 1988 ), shall apply to a person who is a national of a Member State (other than the State) of the European Communities who applies for a travel agent's licence.

10. ( a ) The amount of the fee payable on application for a travel agent's licence shall be £221.

( b ) Applications for amendment of a travel agent's licence shall be subject to a fee of £22 in each case.

( c ) In the case of an applicant for a travel agent's licence who has not held a tour operator's or travel agent's licence within the two years immediately prior to application, an additional fee of £221 shall be payable.

( d ) Where an application for a travel agent's licence is received less than two months but more than one month prior to the date on which the licence is required to commence, an additional fee of £500 shall be payable.

( e ) Where an application for a travel agent's licence is received less than one month prior to the date on which the licence is required to commence, an additional fee of £1,000 shall be payable.

(f) Where an applicant for a travel agent's licence has failed to submit audited financial statements as required by the Minister under Regulation 7 ( b ) of these Regulations, an additional fee of £500 shall be payable.

(g) The Minister may, at his discretion, waive the additional fees payable under paragraphs (d) and ( e ) of this Regulation where he is satisfied that the delay in submission of an application was due solely to circumstances outside the control of the applicant, his agents or servants.

( h ) The Minister may, at his discretion, waive the additional fees payable under paragraph (f) of this Regulation where he is satisfied that the delay in submission of audited financial statements was due solely to circumstances outside the control of the applicant, his agents or servants.

11. Fees payable under these Regulations shall be non-refundable.

12. Any expenses incurred by the Minister arising from the application of section 11 of the Act may be charged by the Minister to the licensee and shall be reimbursed by the licensee to the Minister.

13. The Minister shall not consider an application for a travel agent's licence which is incomplete or is not accompanied by the appropriate fee referred to in Regulation 10 of these Regulations.

14. ( a ) The Minister shall be advised immediately of the demise, removal or resignation of any director or partner of the licensee.

( b ) Proposals for the appointment of additional directors or for changes in the directors of a company holding a travel agent's licence or proposals for changes in the distribution of shares, or in the effective ownership or control of such company or of any partnership, or unincorporated body holding a travel agent's licence shall be notified to the Minister either before or after, but not later than 7 days after, such changes become effective.

( c ) Changes in the shareholding of a company holding a travel agent's licence shall be notified to the Minister either before or after, but not later than 7 days after, such change has become effective.

15. Copies of any travel agent's licence held by the licensee together with any conditions attached thereto shall be displayed for the information of the public in a prominent position on all premises owned or occupied by the licensee and in which he carries on business.

16. A licensee shall maintain the following books, accounts and records in his principal place of business or in such other place as may be approved of by the Minister:—

( a ) annual accounts duly audited and certified in accordance with Regulation 7 of these Regulations,

( b ) a record, which may be in ledger, computer or other form, of all daily receipts and expenditure, including all monies placed on deposit,

( c ) a full record of all bank lodgments and a regular and proper bank reconciliation, and

( d ) copies of all contracts entered into by the licensee relevant to the business of the licensee and valid for the period of the licence,

and shall furnish copies or extracts on request by a person authorised by the Minister under section 11 of the Act.

17. The following Regulations are hereby revoked:—

( a ) Travel Agents (Licensing) Regulations, 1983 ( S.I. No. 101 of 1983 );

( b ) Travel Agents (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 1985 ( S.I. No. 166 of 1985 );

( c ) Travel Agents (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 1986 ( S.I. No. 216 of 1986 );

( d ) Travel Agents (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 1987 ( S.I. No. 176 of 1987 );

( e ) Travel Agents (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 1988 ( S.I. No. 132 of 1988 );

(f) Travel Agents (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 1989 ( S.I. No. 159 of 1989 );

( g ) Travel Agents (Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations, 1992 ( S.I. No. 175 of 1992 ).

FIRST SCHEDULE

APPLICATION FOR A TRAVEL AGENT'S LICENCE

Additional checklist for new Applicants only

Note: An application without a completed checklist will not be regarded as a valid application and will be returned to the applicant for completion. This may result in a late application fee for the applicant.

APPLICATION FOR A TRAVEL AGENT'S LICENCE

Checklist for all Travel Agent Licence Applications

Note: An application without a completed checklist will not be regarded as a valid application and will be returned to the applicant for completion. This may result in a late application fee for the applicant.

TRANSPORT (TOUR OPERATORS AND TRAVEL AGENTS) ACT, 1982

APPLICATION FOR A TRAVEL AGENT'S LICENCE

Name of Applicant ............................................................ ......................................................

Business or Trading Names¹ ............................................................ ..........................................

Registered Office ............................................................ ........................................................

Business Address ............................................................ .........................................................

Telephone No. ............................................................ ............................................................ 

Fax. No. ............................................................ ............................................................ ........

hereby applies for a licence to carry on business as a travel agent, as defined in section 2 of the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982 , for the period

to

The amount of £    , being the fee payable in respect of this application, is enclosed.

I, the undersigned, declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief, the particulars herein given are true and complete and that there have been no changes in the financial resources, ownership and control of the business other than those notified in this form.

I also authorise the Minister, or any officer authorised by him, to apply to all or any of the persons or bodies specified in section 11 of this application form, and all such persons or bodies are hereby authorised to give such information as may be sought from them hereunder, for the purpose of substantiating the particulars furnished in this application.

¹Certificates of Registration of Business or Trading names must be supplied unless previously furnished.

This form must be signed as follows:

(i) if the applicant is an individual, by that individual,

(ii) if the applicant is a partnership, by each of the partners, or

(iii) if the applicant is a body corporate, by each of the directors.

Furnishing of False Information

The applicant's attention is drawn to the heavy penalty provisions relating to false or misleading statements for the purpose of obtaining a licence which are set out in section 20 (3) of the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982 .

This form should be returned to:

The Secretary,

Department of Transport, Energy and Communications,

Travel Trade Licensing (Room 503),

Kildare Street,

Dublin 2.

Particulars to be furnished by the Applicant

SECTION 1 — Ownership and Control of Business

State whether the applicant is a sole owner, a partnership, an unincorporated body or a company incorporated under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990.

(i) If the applicant is a sole owner, state name in full, private address and nationality;

(ii) If the applicant is a partnership, state name in full, private address and nationality of each partner;

(iii) If the applicant is an unincorporated body, state full name, private address and nationality of the principal officers (e.g. Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer) and trustees;

(iv) If the applicant is a company incorporated under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990:

(a) state the full name, private address and nationality of every member of the board of directors, company secretary and senior management personnel, indicating working directors by (W),

(b) state who are the persons or entities in real or effective ownership or control or the company, i.e., the beneficial owners of the Company,

(c) state whether the Company has a shadow director within the meaning of Section 27 of the Companies Act, 1990 ¹. If so, state the full name and private address of the person concerned,

¹ A shadow director is defined in the Act as a "person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of a company are accustomed to act".

(d) state whether the company is a subsidiary of another company within the meaning of section 155 of the Companies Act, 1963 , and, if so, give full details,

(e) state whether the company is a holding company of any other company or companies within the meaning of section 155 of the Companies Act, 1963 , and, if so, state the name or names of any such company or companies,

(f) furnish a copy of the applicant company's Memorandum and Articles of Association, certificates of incorporation and certificates of registration of any trading or business names unless previously furnished.

(g) provide confirmation from the Company's auditor that the annual return has been forwarded to the Registrar of Companies in accordance with Section 127 of the Companies Act, 1963 , as amended by Section 15 of the Companies Act, 1982¹.

Note: (A) If the answer to 1 (iv) (d) or 1 (iv) (e) is "yes", any particulars required to be furnished in relation to the applicant may also be required to be furnished in relation to any other company or companies concerned or in relation to the group of companies as a whole.

(B) Applicants are advised to take special care to ensure that all the information in Section 1 is up to date.

SECTION 2 — Capitalisation

Specify:

(i) amount of authorised share capital,

(ii) amount of fully paid-up share capital—

(a) issued for cash,

(b) issued otherwise than for cash,

(iii) if any share capital is not fully paid up, give details,

(iv) full name, private address and nationality of each shareholder and full details of shares held by each.

SECTION 3 — Shareholding in Other Companies

Give full details of any shareholding of more than 10 per cent by the applicant or any director, shareholder or partner in any other company, including shareholdings held in the same name of a spouse, nominee or agent.

SECTION 4 — Borrowings, Credit Arrangements, etc.

Specify:

(i) (a) overdraft facilities available (if any) and name of bank or other financial institution involved,

(b) security given for overdraft(s), (if any),

¹ The return must be completed within 60 days after the annual general meeting for the year and the company must forthwith forward it to the Registrar.

(c) other borrowings and securities/collateral given in relation thereto,

(ii) details of mortgages, liens, charges or other encumbrances, etc.,

(iii) (a) amount and nature of directors' loans invested in the Company as at application date,

(b) name of director(s) to whom the Company is liable for loan capital as at application date.

SECTION 5 — Assets

Specify:

(i) details of premises and whether owned, leased, rented or mortgaged,

(ii) a list of all other assets of the applicant.

SECTION 6 — Past Activities

Specify:

(i) details of companies, enterprises or business ventures with which the applicant or any director, shadow director, shareholder or partner was previously associated in a proprietorial role or as a director or shareholder,

(ii) details of any company, enterprise or business venture involved in bankruptcy or winding-up proceedings with which the applicant or any director, shadow director, shareholder or partner was involved,

(iii) details of any prosecutions against the applicant or any director, shadow director, shareholder or partner for fraud, embezzlement, larceny or other offences involving dishonesty, or under the Consumer Information Act, 1978 , or the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, 1980 , and the outcome of such prosecution.

SECTION 7 — State whether the Applicant:—

(i) is a member of any trade association (e.g. I.T.A.A., A.B.T.A., etc.),

(ii) is an agent for airlines which are members of the International Air Transport Association,

(iii) also carries on business as a tour operator within the State, or,

(iv) operates or has operated as a tour operator or travel agent in any other Member State of the European Community; if so, specify the Member State involved and indicate whether the applicant holds or has held a licence, certificate, approval or authorisation from the competent national authorities of such Member State.

SECTION 8 — Level of Operation and Turnover

Specify:

(i) total turnover last year (see Note A),

(ii) turnover licensable last year (see Note B),

(iii) nature of non licensable activity last year,

(iv) projected total turnover for the period of the licence now sought,

(v) projected licensable turnover for the period of the licence now sought,

(vi) nature of proposed non licensable activity, if any.

Notes:(A) Where turnover is not shown in the audited accounts a separate audited certificate of turnover should be submitted.

(B) The term "last year" as used in (i), (ii) and (iii) above means the period covered by the audited accounts required to be submitted by the applicant.

SECTION 9 — Nature of Business

Where the applicant proposes to operate tour or holiday packages where he contracts directly for accommodation or other services he should provide full details including:—

(i) whether such packages are based on:—

(a) the scheduled services of a transport carrier, or

(b) the purchase of charter seats from a tour operator,

(ii) destinations involved,

(iii) name of transport carrier or tour operator involved,

(iv) number of passengers involved and average inclusive price,

(v) copy of brochure or publicity material and booking conditions.

SECTION 10 — Premises and Staffing

Specify:

(i) length of time in business,

(ii) number of branch offices, outlets or premises with addresses and number of staff employed in each,

(iii) how, or to what extent, premises are publicly identified and specify normal hours of opening,

(iv) whether premises are used solely for the sale of travel and, if not, specify what other activity is carried on,

(v) in the case of managerial staff, names and brief career history and an indication of experience, competence or qualifications (e.g. financial, economic, business administration, accountancy or approved recognised third level managerial qualifications),

(vi) for other staff (clerks, sales staff, etc.) names and length of time employed by applicant and indicate the extent to which they have experience of, or familiarity with, normal practice in the travel industry including:—

(a) tour operator booking procedures,

(b) airline booking procedures,

(c) surface carrier booking procedures,

(d) consumer legislation,

(e) basic insurance terms.

SECTION 11 — Other Information

Specify:

(i) name and address of applicant's legal representative,

(ii) name and address of applicant's banker(s),

(iii) name and address of applicant's auditor/accountant,

(iv) address of applicant's principal place of business.

SECTION 12 — Bonding

Specify the type of bond which you propose to lodge with the Minister, if he approves of this application.

SECTION 13 — Emergency Contact

State name, address and telephone number of persons to be contacted outside normal office hours or in an emergency.

SCHEDULE TO TRAVEL AGENT'S APPLICATION FORM

Financial Data to be Supplied by New Entrants to the Travel Trade

New Entrants to the travel trade, who would not have the required audited accounts available (i.e. Accounts covering a 12 month period ending on a date not earlier than 12 months before the date of application) should furnish:

(a) An audited Opening Balance Sheet;

(b) Projected monthly Cash Flow Statement, Trading and Profit and Loss Account for the first year of trading;

(c) Projected Balance Sheet at the end of the first year of trading;

(d) A breakdown of projected turnover under the following headings and the rate of commission expected under each heading:—

(i) I.A.T.A. scheduled airline tickets,

(ii) other scheduled airline tickets,

(iii) packaged holidays,

(iv) boat and rail tickets,

(v) other (specify).

(e) Confirmation from the applicant's Auditor that he is satisfied that the projections and calculations made in (b), (c) and (d) above, so far as the accounting policies and calculations are concerned, are properly compiled on foot of the accompanying assumptions made by the Applicant and are presented on a basis consistent with the accounting policies normally adopted by the Applicant.

Note: In the case of a sole trader or a partnership a statement of affairs of all the applicant's assets and liabilities audited by the applicant's Auditors will be required for (a) above and a projected statement of affairs for (c).

SECOND SCHEDULE

TRANSPORT (TOUR OPERATORS AND TRAVEL AGENTS) ACT, 1982

Travel Agent's Licence No. T.A. ............................................................ .

Name............................................................ ............................................................ ..............

Address............................................................ ............................................................ ......................

hereinafter referred to as the licensee is hereby licensed by the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications to carry on business as a Travel Agent subject to the conditions set forth herein.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

1. This licence shall come into effect on ............................................................ ..................

and shall continue in force up to and including ............................................................ ................

............................................................ ............................................................ ......................

2. This licence is non-transferrable.

3. (a) The Minister shall be advised immediately of the demise, removal or resignation of any director or partner of the licensee;

(b) Proposals for the appointment of additional directors or for changes in the directors of a company holding a licence or proposals for changes in the distribution of shares, or in the effective ownership or control of such company or of any partnership, or incorporated body holding a licence shall be notified to the Minister either before, or after, but not later than 7 days after, such changes become effective;

(c) Changes in the shareholders of a company shall be notified to the Minister either before, or after, but not later than seven days after, such changes have become effective.

4. The licensee shall notify the Minister of any new mortgages, liens, charges or other encumbrances made on the licensee during the period of validity of the licence.

5. The licensee shall comply with the provisions of the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982 (No. 3 of 1982), and of all orders and regulations made thereunder relating to travel agents.

6. Copies of this licence and the conditions attaching thereto shall be displayed for the information of the public in a prominent position on all premises owned or occupied by the licensee and in which he carries on business.

7. The licensee shall maintain the following books, accounts and records in his principal place of business and shall make available copies or extracts on request to, and shall facilitate the entry and inspection of all such records and documentation by authorised officers of the Minister pursuant to section 11 of the Act:—

(a) accounts, duly audited and certified, covering a twelve month accounting period ending on a date not earlier than 12 months before the date of application;

(b) a record, which may be in ledger, computer, or other form, of all daily receipts and expenditures, including all monies placed on deposit;

(c) a full record of all bank lodgements and a regular and proper bank reconciliation;

(d) copies of all contracts entered into by the licensee relevant to the business of the licensee and valid for the period of the licence.

8. A breach of any of the conditions set out herein may result in the revocation of this licence.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Dated this  day of

For the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications

An officer authorised in this behalf by the said Minister.

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 30th day of June, 1993.

BRIAN COWEN,

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications.

The Minister for Finance consents to the making of the foregoing Regulations in so far as they relate to the specification of fees and charges.

GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for Finance, this 1st day of July, 1993.

PHILIP FURLONG,

A person authorised to authenticate the Seal of the said Minister.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

The effect of these Regulations is to consolidate previous regulations governing the grant of travel agent licences. The Regulations also revise the level of fees payable in respect of applications for a travel agents licence.