andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether, in view of the fact that Bord Fáilte would welcome a central bureau to cater for Irish rail and boat services he will have this proposal examined with a view to ascertaining whether the proposal would help to alleviate the hardships which Irish people travelling between here and Britain by boat and rail have to undergo at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cross-Channel Services: Central Bureau.
54.
The establishment of a central ticket and reservations bureau for sea and rail services to Ireland would no doubt facilitate the booking of reserved accommodation but would not necessarily relieve hardships. It is primarily a matter for the operators of the services with whom Bord Fáilte have been pressing on the question with my encouragement for some time.
Would the Minister not be prepared to take this up ministerially?
We have made a great many suggestions through Bord Fáilte in regard to some of these services and this is one of them. A great many suggestions have been made——
By the Minister?
By my Department and by Bord Fáilte.
Is it not a fact that this suggestion emanated from the Association of British Travel Agents?
The matter was considered before by Bord Fáilte.
Did Bord Fáilte not state publicly that they recommended the suggestion by British travel agents? Will the Minister not back up Bord Fáilte?
I have already said I did.
At ministerial level?
I have already made it clear that I am behind Bord Fáilte in this matter.
How far behind?
Have they done anything?