asked the Minister for Transport and Power when Aer Lingus expect delivery of their first Boeing 747; and when Shannon and Dublin Airports will be ready to cater for this type of aircraft.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Aer Lingus Aircraft.
23.
Delivery of the first Boeing 747 which Aerlínte have ordered is expected in time to be introduced into their services in the summer of 1971.
At Shannon it is planned to have the pier building with adequate facilities for the handling of Boeing 747 aircraft available for use by May, 1970. The main terminal is planned to be available for use by April, 1971.
At Dublin the passenger terminal contract is phased to provide adequate facilities for Boeing 747 by April, 1971, and the entire work will be completed by April, 1972.
24.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will outline clearly the implications for the Irish tourist industry of the introduction of the Boeing 747 on the transatlantic route and the steps which must be taken to gear the industry to meet the new challenge.
The introduction of Boeing 747 on the transatlantic route provides an opportunity for securing a substantial increase in the number of tourists from the United States and Canada. The extent to which the Irish tourist industry will benefit from this opportunity depends on the scale of our marketing activities in North America and the facilities we provide at home.
Aerlínte and Bord Fáilte will be intensifying their marketing activities in North America and there will be greater concentration on the development of inclusive holidays suited to the expansion in seating capacity. These efforts will have to be supported and supplemented by increased participation by hotels and other tourism interests.
As regards arrangements for the larger aircraft and the handling of increased numbers of passengers at airports, works are already in progress to effect the necessary improvements at Shannon and Dublin. In the sphere of holiday accommodation, the improvements in the financial incentives which were introduced in 1967 have stimulated investment in the provision of new hotels and the extension of existing hotels and Bord Fáilte have informed me that a momentum has been established which, if maintained, will be sufficient to cope with the anticipated additional demand.
There will also be a greater need for recreation and entertainment facilities throughout the country. Bord Fáilte are now engaged for some years in a campaign to stimulate the provision of the necessary facilities. The board will be continuing their efforts in this field but I would expect that with the growth in the number of visitors and the gradual lengthening of the season, private enterprise will be increasingly attracted into investment in this field and that an adequate range of recreational facilities for visitors will be provided.
Generally, the advent of the Boeing 747 aircraft will call for greater investment by both the public and the private sectors and increased effort in marketing and promotional activities.
Would the Minister say whether or not it is a fact that Bord Fáilte are unable to pay grants at the moment for hotel and accommodation commitments which have been entered into? Does the Minister think this is advisable at the present moment if we wish to increase our accommodation in order to get an increased number of tourists?
The Deputy has not put the question on that aspect. I was going to speak tonight at a meeting of the Irish Hotels Federation on this subject. It is relevant to say something in the House beforehand. The situation is that the response of the private sector to the incentives made available by Bord Fáilte and the Government has run ahead of the funds available. I appreciate the gist of the Deputy's question and can assure the Deputy, the hotel trade and the country at large that the funds will be made available before the end of this financial year to meet the commitments that are outstanding.
Are we to take it from the fact that the Minister did not mention it that no steps are being taken to increase road accommodation in view of the very large number of extra passengers who will disembark at any one time?
That is a separate problem.
It is part of the same problem. The effect of the jumbo jets will be that many more people will be disembarking and using the roads at a particular moment.
I appreciate that.
25.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power the number of Viscount and BAC One-Eleven aircraft at present in service with Aer Lingus; and when it is expected that the changeover to Boeing jet aircraft will be completed.
The present Aer Lingus fleet comprises 13 Viscounts, four BAC One-Elevens and three Boeing 737's. A further five Boeing 737's are due to be delivered before April, 1970. There are no plans to dispose of the BAC One-Elevens. The company are not yet in a position to say when precisely the Viscount fleet will be completely withdrawn from service.
There is no change of policy in that respect. Is it the intention to have an all-Boeing fleet?
There is no question about it. The exact situation is that we may have three Viscounts on scheduled services in the summer of 1970. By the summer of 1971 the Viscounts will be gone off the scheduled services.
The phasing-out is taking a little longer than anticipated?
There may be three Viscounts next summer and no Viscounts in 1971.