asked the Taoiseach if he can state the estimated income from tourism for the current year, distinguishing between receipts in respect of visitors from (a) Britain, (b) Continental Europe and (c) the United States.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Income.
6.
Figures are not yet available for expenditure by visitors to this country in the current year. In 1967, the latest year for which figures are available, the total amount spent in Ireland by non-residents in connection with tourism and travel was estimated at £70.3 million. Of this figure £57.6 million was spent by residents of Great Britain and the Six Counties, £0.6 million by residents of other OECD member countries in Europe, and £12.0 million by residents of the United States and Canada. Separate figures for expenditure by United States residents are not available. The above figures do not include the foreign passenger receipts of Irish sea and air carriers.
Could the Taoiseach tell us how the amount of money spent by residents of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the Republic is estimated?
It is done by the Central Statistics Office, by experts.
I know it is, but what method do they use?
I cannot tell the Deputy. I am not a statistician.
Could the Taoiseach find out and let us know in what way they arrive at these estimates?
I do not think we could. It is a highly technical and scientific matter.
How can they arrive at the general total?
That is a separate question.
It is a supplementary.
Maybe it is a Fine Gael supplementary when you want a Fianna Fáil one.
The Deputy should behave himself some time.