Some 50 people booked to go to sun holiday destinations over the next few weeks with a travel agency which has closed down are protected under the statutory bonding scheme.
Argo Travel Ltd, Dawson Street, Dublin, which had 10 employees, was fully bonded. The company held a travel agent's licence for the period March 19th, 1997, to October 31st.
A Department of Public Enterprise spokesman said he wished to assure people who had made bookings with the company on or before yesterday for overseas travel, that there were adequate funds available under the statutory bonding scheme.
This would ensure that their holiday arrangements could continue as planned or alternatively, where appropriate, to ensure that their money would be refunded.
The spokesman added that the Department was making arrangements to ensure that any customers of the company who might be abroad at present would be able to complete their holidays without any disruption or inconvenience.
He said those who had made bookings with Argo should telephone the Department, Travel Trade Section, Kildare Street, Dublin, and claims under the company's bond must be made within the next 60 days.
A spokesman for Argo said the difficulties with the company would not affect any of the travellers. There would be about 16 to 20 people travelling this weekend and 50 to 60 altogether over the next couple of weekends. They were heading for destinations in Spain, Portugal, Morocco.
The president of the Irish Travel Agents Association, Mr P.J. Brennan, said the company was not a member of the ITAA. However, as a result of the scheme worked out with the Department a few years ago, the situation was that a company could not be licensed without being bonded. It was a good insurance system.