asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether Bord Fáilte have yet submitted their budget for 1971-72; if so, what increase in the State's subvention to Bord Fáilte is contemplated; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Subvention to Bord Fáilte.
5.
Mr. O'Donnell
Bord Fáilte, in common with other State sponsored bodies, are required to submit each year estimates of their financial requirements for the following year. I am not at present in a position to announce the financial allocations for Bord Fáilte for 1971-72. This information will be published in the Book of Estimates in due course.
Mr. O'Donnell
Has the budget been finalised by Bord Fáilte?
This is a question of the Book of Estimates. The Deputy is aware of parliamentary procedure, that the Departments and the State-sponsored bodies' agreed budgets are published in the Book of Estimates that is issued before the Budget. The Minister for Finance said today that this would be published within the next couple of weeks.
Mr. O'Donnell
Is the Minister aware of the urgent need for a greatly intensified advertising and publicity campaign particularly in Britain to combat the adverse publicity this country has been getting and also to counteract the downward trend in bookings from Britain? Has the Minister any plans to make special funds available to Bord Fáilte immediately?
The Minister is so aware of this problem that £400,000 has already been spent during the winter and early spring at precisely the level to which the Deputy is referring. Anything at this stage would be irrelevant.