asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the reason for the decision to offer Ballinahinch Hotel for sale; if it is due to financial loss; whether he will state the amount of such loss on (a) the hotel trading and (b) the management of the property other than the hotel; and if he will say if the decision was made on the direction of the Government.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Hotel.
The Government has decided that the hotel properties operated under the control of the Irish Tourist Board are to be offered for sale. The Government has taken this decision because it does not consider it to be any part of its functions to provide State funds for the acquisition and operation of hotels. I am not in a position to furnish information as to the results of trading at Ballinahinch Hotel and the management of the property other than the hotel. Audited accounts have not yet been submitted to me.
Will the Minister say if this principle of the Government's not interfering in hotel business will be applied in respect of other business activities such, for instance, as the manufacture of sugar, the provision of electricity, transport, etc.?
That is a separate question. The question deals with hotels.