Vol. 263 No. 11
asked the Minister for Transport and Power to what extent his Department were involved in the survey and study commissioned by CIE in respect of the setting-up of a national travel agency for Irish tourism; if his Department were asked to authorise payment to the consultants who performed the study; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
24.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if a claim for £10,000 has been made against his Department by an American market consultancy firm (name supplied) in respect of an investigation carried out on behalf of a State-sponsored body under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
25.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he has received the report and accounts of Bord Fáilte for year ended 31st March, 1972; and if he will make a statement on the reason for the delay of four months in preparation and presentation.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 to 25 inclusive, together.
A statement by Bord Fáilte has already been published in which the board indicated that in late 1970 and early 1971 representatives of Bord Fáilte, CIE and the air companies had discussions with a consultancy firm in relation to a consultancy project on marketing and promotional activities in tourism fields to be carried out for these bodies on a basis to be arranged between them. As the board has indicated, the project did not, in the event, proceed beyond the preliminary stages. The consultants claimed £28,848 for fees and expenses incurred on preliminary work. As the proposed consultancy related to tourism, Bord Fáilte undertook responsibility for dealing with this claim and eventually settled it for £10,000 without admission of liability.
My Department was not asked to authorise the payment to the consultants. The report and accounts of Bord Fáilte were received and have been presented to both Houses of the Oireachtas. I am informed by Bord Fáilte that the reasons for the delay included problems relating to the reconciliation of statistics — which were not published until September — and the finalisation of the accounts.
