asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that the car ferry services booking into Rosslare Harbour show a serious reduction this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rosslare Car Ferry Service.
20.
Car ferry services are operated to Rosslare from Fishguard and Le Havre.
British Rail, who operate the Rosslare-Fishguard service, have indicated that to date the level of bookings for travel on the route is somewhat lower than last year.
Normandy Ferries, who operate on the Rosslare-Le Havre route during the May/October period, have reported increased traffic so far this year as compared with 1969. The company expect this trend will continue for the remainder of the season.
Could the Minister give any indication as to the percentage drops in bookings through Rosslare Harbour this year?
They are down.
I am only too well aware of that but I should be interested to hear from the Minister by what percentage they are down.
I shall have that information for the Deputy if he puts down another question.
Surely the question is a simple one and the Minister should be briefed on that. I am rather unfortunate recently in that if I put down questions the Ministers do not seem to know anything about them.
Certainly if the Deputy puts down a question next week he will get the information.
Has the Minister not the information with him?
Has the Deputy not asked for a statement on the matter? Surely that would include the percentage drop?
I shall have that if the Deputy puts down a question next week.
(Interruptions.)
I shall tell the Minister what it is. It is 25 per cent, to put it on the official record.
If the Deputy wants the figure it is 10 per cent.
Could the Minister not have given that before?
And we were told there was no problem.
(Interruptions.)
In view of the disastrous effect this has had on tourism throughout the country, would the Minister now make a Hillery effort and go to visit these tourist resorts and see what can be done?
That has nothing to do with the question.