asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is supplied with particulars of tourist grants from Bord Fáilte.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Grants.
29.
The provision of grant assistance for resort development is a statutory function of Bord Fáilte Éireann. Particulars of resort development grants are contained in the report and accounts which the Board submit to me each year and which are presented by me to the Oireachtas.
I gather that the Minister is in possession of these figures. I have been asking the Minister for these figures and will the Minister tell me now that he will supply them to me?
Under the Tourist Acts, Bord Fáilte are entitled to spend £1 million. In any event, it would be quite impracticable to keep giving the accounts because negotiations continue between Bord Fáilte and local associations and county councils and the amount of work varies from year to year according to the agreements entered into, the progress made, the securing of title for property and so forth. In any event, Bord Fáilte are statutorily given leave by the Dáil to spend £1 million and to make the choice of areas themselves.
I am not saying that Bord Fáilte should not spend £1 million. I am only asking how they spent it last year and if the Minister received any account from Bord Fáilte of how these moneys were spent?
We authorised them to spend a given sum of money each year out of the £1 million. They report in full the work they are doing. No purpose would be served by going into very much detail because, as I said, the work constantly changes from year to year.
The Minister said that Bord Fáilte report to him. Why not make that report available when Deputies ask for it? I have been asking for it for the past three months.
The particulars of resort development are in the annual report of Bord Fáilte—not the detailed accounts, but where the work is proceeding.
Is it possible to get a detailed account?
No.
We cannot have a dozen supplementaries asked on each question. Question No. 30.
I have already given an answer in regard to the statutory position and the fact that Bord Fáilte are entitled to spend money allotted to them by Dáil Éireann.
Is it not time the Minister——
(Interruptions.)
Will the Minister agree that previous issues of the report gave more detailed information than last year's issue? Was there not a change in last year's issue?
Question No. 30.
Why was there this change?
With your permission, Sir, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
But you will be refused.
It was impossible to hear the answer to Question No. 29.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Lynch was entitled to interrupt because the Minister refused to answer a question.
Deputy Lynch is not entitled to interrupt, nor is any other Deputy. It is disorderly. The Deputy will resume his seat.