The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) operates a consumer protection scheme for customers of travel agents and tour operators established in Ireland. If you find you are out of pocket as a result of one of these travel agents or tour operators going out of business, you may be covered by this scheme. Please see further details here.
Under Section 20 of the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) Act, 1982 it is an offence if a travel agent or tour operator trades without a licence.
Under Section 22 and 22A of the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act, 1995 it is an offence if an organiser or a trader facilitating linked travel arrangements does not provide insolvency protection for package travel services or linked travel arrangements.
Details on travel agents and tour operators that are licensed by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and organisations that have the relevant insolvency protection in place can be found here.