asked the Minister for Transport and Power the number of international conferences held in this country in 1970 and 1971 and the bookings for 1972.
11.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - International Conferences.
10.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power the number of conferences scheduled for 1972 which have been cancelled and the total number of persons who had been expected to attend them.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
The number of international conferences, sales meetings and incentive travel visits to Ireland in 1970 and 1971 was 120 and 86, respectively. With regard to 1972, there have been 18 cancellations involving and estimated 12,000 delegates. There are at present arrangements for the holding of 48 conferences or similar gatherings here this year and these involve a total of about 16,000 delegates. I should add, however, that these should not be treated as firm figures because the position is rather fluid, as the House will appreciate.
Is the Minister aware of the harm being done to this country at present because of the internal situation, the drift to anarchy and the fact that there is no Government policy to deal with this drift, except double-talk, double-thinking and no concrete action by the Government?
Deputy L'Estrange is still drifting.
(Interruptions.)