THE COMMISSION for Aviation Regulation (CAR) has spent about €400,000 so far this year repatriating consumers affected by the collapse of Irish travel companies.

Three Irish travel groups went bust recently - Ronane Travel Ltd/Great Escapes, Gerry McMahon/Fáilte Travel and MacLaverty Travel Ltd.

Aviation regulator Cathal Guiomard said two "sets of repatriation" were required after these collapses, costing €200,000 each.

The trips home were funded by the travel trade's bonding scheme, which is overseen by CAR and is designed to compensate consumers in the event of a licensed travel group collapsing.

Mr Guiomard said that his office had recently "made inquiries of a few dozen companies" to seek an up-to-date picture of their finances.

Mr Guiomard's comments followed the publication of a consultation paper reviewing travel trade legislation in Ireland, which dates back to 1982.

There are currently 290 licensed travel agents and 74 tour operators. The total value of the bonds is €137 million and the cost of the regime is €6 million.

Tour operators are required to post a bond of 10 per cent of their licensable turnover, while travel agents must be bonded for 4 per cent of revenues.

The regulator set out five options for changes to the licensing regime.

These include ending the need to satisfy a fit and proper test; an end to the need for providing audited accounts; and a single licence for a travel agent and tour operator, rather than requiring companies to have separate permits.

CAR also suggested the introduction of indefinite licences to replace the current annual renewal and the acceptance of licences from overseas.

The deadline for responses to CAR is October 31st.