asked the Minister for Transport and Power the likely implications of EEC membership for Irish tourism.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Membership of EEC.
37.
Mr. O'Donnell
No decisions or regulations have been adopted by the EEC to date dealing specifically with tourism and I do not expect that membership of the EEC will have any significant effect on our general arrangements for the development and promotion of tourism. Some consideration has been given by the existing member countries to the question of establishing machinery to deal with tourism matters within EEC. We will have the right to participate in the working out of any such arrangements.
Accession to EEC will, of course, strengthen the contacts between this country and the other member States. As a result, interest in Ireland generally, including our holiday attractions, should develop as our involvement in EEC becomes more widely known among the people of the other member countries. In addition, we will be in a position to avail of any special facilities which the Community may decide to provide in the sphere of tourism. Membership of EEC should therefore present our tourist industry with an opportunity to market their products among a much larger population with whom we will have a special relationship. For these reasons, membership of EEC should lead to increased tourist traffic from Europe and this is already being taken into account in the marketing policies of Bord Fáilte.
Mr. O'Donnell
May I ask the Minister whether it might be desirable now to make special arrangements for promotion and marketing in the EEC countries in view of the fact that there appears to be a good tourist potential there? Is he satisfied the amount of money available to Bord Fáilte for that purpose is adequate? My information is that it is entirely inadequate.
Everything Bord Fáilte have sought in relation to promotional work on the Continent has been given to them. I agree this is a very open area for development in that it contrasts with the difficulties we are experiencing in other tourist areas. Revenue from continental tourists is growing and there seems to be great scope for expansion.
The Minister said there were some proposals by existing member countries in this respect. Could he tell us something more about these proposals?
Nothing has been worked out in regard to a common tourist policy. It is all very tentative at this stage. We will be in there to participate and play our part in working out such arrangements.
Could the Minister say what these proposals are?
It is very tentative at this stage.
The Minister said proposals were being made. Does he know what they are?
They are very tentative.
Does he know what they are?
I do, but there is nothing to be gained by discussing them. It is at a very tentative stage.