asked the Minister for Finance whether it is proposed to modify existing restrictions on expenditure on foreign travel; and, if so, when and to what extent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Travel.
It is not proposed to modify the arrangements for expenditure on foreign travel announced on 5th December, 1947, in respect of the period ending 30th June, 1948.
Is the Minister aware that the British Government have announced that they are abolishing the restrictions which have been in force in that country? Is there any reason why we should keep in force restrictions on our citizens which are of much greater severity than those in force in Great Britain?
I am aware that the Foreign Secretary made a statement in the House of Commons to the effect that he proposes to take steps soon in regard to the summer tourist traffic. No further announcement has been made and no relaxation of the previous arrangement has been made, save this that in the case of Switzerland a preliminary announcement has been made that intending tourists are asked to await a further pronouncement. That further pronouncement has not been made. It is also understood that our position vis-a-vis some of those countries is on the balance of payments worse than the position of the British Government.
I do not agree. I suggest to the Minister that it is not desirable that restrictions which were imposed for the purpose of maintaining the value of sterling should be more restrictive in their effect here than they are in Great Britain.
It all depends on the relative position of this country vis-a-vis the countries to which tourists want to go in the matter of the balance of payments.
What has the balance of payments to do with it?
Are there any more members of Fianna Fáil thinking of going abroad?
They got a great welcome.
More than they got at home, apparently.
They got it at home and abroad.