THE Minister of State for Communications, Mr Emmett Stagg, appealed to the travel trade to act in a reasonable and realistic way in planning its capacity for the coming season.

He was responding to the Fianna Fail spokesman, Mr Seamus Brennan, who raised the controversy surrounding Thomson's entry into the Irish market. He said the competition was welcome, but it was claimed that Thomsons had received 2,000 bookings but was unable to state the airline with which travellers would be travelling.

Mr Stagg said all operators were licensed by the Department and passengers were protected against financial loss. The potential problem being reported was about the risk of a mismatch of capacity and demand for the coming season on the part of the industry.

The controls exercised by the Department were not intended to intervene in normal market activity.

The Irish Travel Agents' Association was keeping developments in the industry monitored as the season progressed.