asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the total estimated financial loss in tourism incurred as a result of the telecommunications dispute.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telecommunications Dispute.
31.
It would be impossible at this early stage of the tourist season and because of the very disparate nature of the industry to quantify the effects of the dispute, but I am advised by Bord Fáilte that the effect on actual business to date has not been significant.
There is little doubt, however, that considerable tourist business remains at risk as long as the dispute continues.
Would the Minister say whether he recently cancelled a promotion tour of the US, and if so why?
I have not cancelled it; I have postponed it because of my involvement in the present industrial problem. I feel it is necessary for me to be personally available. I might add that when I went to Britain on a promotion tour two months ago, to London, I spent from Sunday afternoon until Tuesday morning there and I was back on Tuesday morning for a Cabinet meeting. That was particularly noted in a leading article in one of our newspapers—that the Minister was out of the country for a day and a half or two days. Evidently the writer of that leading article thought I should be here rather than promoting tourism during those two days. The Deputy can therefore imagine what would have happened if I had been away for a longer period.
Is the Minister aware that this unfortunate dispute has been taking place during the peak booking period for overseas tourists— January, February, March and up to date—and that the tourist promotion campaigns of Bord Fáilte and the private tour operators and travel agents have been thrown into complete chaos, and that it is reliably estimated, even though the Minister may find it difficult to quantify it, the cost will run into more than £10 million? Would the Minister indicate whether anything is happening in relation to resolving the dispute—whether he is doing anything about it?
That is a separate question.
I do not know where the Deputy got the figure of £10 million. This business of throwing out figures from the top of people's heads is not doing any good. In February the president of a relatively small body said we were losing £1 million a day, but when put under pressure on radio he was unable to substantiate it. Since then we had a document produced by CII and the Economic and Social Research Institute—it is the monthly industrial survey for February—and in relation to activity for all manufacturing industry that report does not indicate that the communications disruption has had the type of result suggested. Indeed it states that the overall picture has been one of increased production, increased export and home sales. I do not wish to be taken as saying that the telecommunications dispute is not a serious threat to the economy. All I am trying to do is to get it into perspective.
In reply to Deputy O'Donnell's further question, as I have already stated in the House, I am doing everything I possibly can to resolve the dispute. I have been working constantly trying to reach a solution. I am most anxious to reach a solution but it does not all rest with me. As I have said already, I have accepted proposals on three different occasions from outside bodies—first, from the Steering Committee of the Employer/ Labour Conference and twice from the ICTU—and on each occasion I made certain concessions because I was anxious to reach a solution, but no concession of any description was made by the union. I again appeal to the union to meet the efforts I have been making to try to solve the dispute.
May I ask the Minister, with his other hat on, if he would agree to meet a delegation from the ICTU which would include members of the POEU?
I have already stated my position clearly in that respect. Only a few days ago I stated my position.
What would the position be in relation to an ICTU deputation which would include members of the POEU?
I am most anxious to settle this matter and to do everything possible which is in my power to do. The Association of Chambers of Commerce are on record as stating that they recognise I am doing everything possible in these very difficult circumstances.
I am asking the Minister if he is telling the House——
There is nothing whatever on the Order Paper to warrant these supplementaries.
Would the Minister move another inch——
I have made considerable concessions on every occasion when proposals were made, but the union did not move an inch. I appeal again to them to move just as I have moved.
The Minister has not moved at all.
I have no doubt that if the union did so we would be able to settle the matter.
Will the Minister tell us about the concessions he has made?
The Deputy will resume his seat.
I have answered about ten supplementaries.