andMr. T. Lynch asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that travel agents from London, Wales and North England are reported to be touring No. 4 Limerick, Kerry and Cork escorted by officials of Bord Fáilte Éireann, and, if so, if he will recommend to the board that this party visits Wexford and Waterford, where the entry ports of Rosslare and Waterford are situated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Travel Agents' Tour.
This tour, which ended on 11th March, 1955, was arranged by Fógra, Fáilte in discharge of its function of publicising Irish tourist attractions, and I do not intervene in detailed administration of this kind. I understand, however, that the board was not unmindful of the claims of Counties Waterford and Wexford, that those counties were included in a previous tour, and that it was the intention to consider them for inclusion in the itinerary of future tours where appropriate or feasible.
Is the Minister aware that the tour, in which Wexford and Waterford were included, took place about five years ago, that there have been four parties of travel agents in Ireland since, and that none of them came to Wexford, Waterford or Donegal?
The details of the tour are a matter for Fógra Fáilte which is an autonomous body in matters of this kind, but I should like to point out to the Deputy that the primary consideration in a matter of this nature is the wishes of the visiting agents. If they express a wish to see a particular area, their wishes must, of course, be respected. In this particular case, the majority of the agents expressed a definite desire to see Killarney, the Ring of Kerry and Blarney Castle, and, as a matter of courtesy, they were taken there.
Does the Minister not consider that it would be a good idea if Fógra Fáilte, An Bord Fáilte, or whatever body is responsible for escorting tourists around the country, suggested that there were such places as Wexford and Waterford which not only offer good facilities for tourist traffic, but are good ports of entrance for motor cars?
That is where Strongbow landed, anyhow.