: In relation to Deputy Corish's point regarding a general debate on the Estimates, as the Minister for Health and Social Welfare pointed out, it is not strictly a matter for me. However, I am sure that if he consults with the whips it might be possible to come to some arrangement.
Deputy O'Donnell raised the question of a transport commission. I have advanced quite considerably in relation to the formation of a transport consultative commission, as was referred to in the manifesto. The Deputy will appreciate that we had to consult with quite a number of Departments who have an interest in this area. I have got their views and I hope in a reasonably short time to announce the type of commission we propose to set up. I hope that is a satisfactory answer so far as the Deputy is concerned.
With regard to the CIE proposals, at the outset I wish to refute certain newspaper reports that arose out of the publication of the Green Paper, that the Government have decided not to go ahead with capital investment in railways, with particular reference to the Dublin suburban system. That is not the case. The Government have not yet made a decision on this matter. The position is that CIE have put forward proposals for electrification of the Howth-Bray line and they are being examined by my Department in consultation with other interested Departments. The Deputy was informed recently by the Minister of State in reply to supplementary questions that this was the position. He will appreciate that the proposals would cost quite a considerable amount of money and it is understandable that it would take some time to come to a decision on the matter. I am awaiting replies from the Departments that are most involved.
As the Dublin Transportation Study and the 1971 McKinsey Report on CIE recognised, the suburban railway plays a very important role in transport arrangements for the greater Dublin area and this fact has been recognised fully by the Government. As I said a moment ago, in a situation when substantial additional capital investment will have to be incurred in any event in replacing rolling stock and signalling of the suburban system in the next few years, I think it will be agreed that it is necessary to examine in some depth the options ranging from electrifying the railway, as recommended by CIE, to maintaining the service as it is or making a variety of changes. I am sure Deputies will appreciate that where there are many complex issues, as there are in this instance, all of them have to be considered before a final decision is taken by the Government.
With regard to tourism, Deputy O'Donnell will be pleased to know that there has been an upsurge this year. The Government, as I mentioned on a number of occasions, are taking a special interest in tourism. The fact that the name of the Department includes the word "Tourism" signifies the importance the Government attach to this matter and to the job possibilities available through tourism. This year we have increased the allocation to Bord Failte by 12½ per cent. As the Deputy is probably aware, the NESC are examining our tourism potential in order to give us a further idea of the road we should follow. The tourism situation has improved considerably and we look forward to an increase in the number of visitors this year and, as a result of this, to the number of jobs that will be created.
This year quite a number of improvements have taken place. For example, there has been the introduction of duty-free facilities on cross-Channel routes, the introduction of free depreciation for hotel investment, the approval of a major development plan for Rosslare Harbour and the approval of the B&I proposal for a jet-foil service between Dublin and Liverpool. Improvements have also been made in many other areas that will help considerably the situation with regard to the development of tourism. I have asked Bord Failte to review the entire accommodation position, I expect to get a submission from them soon, and this will help me in considering how further development of the tourist industry can be achieved.
The fourth question the Deputy asked related to EEC policy on transport. There was a recent meeting of Transport Ministers in Luxembourg which approved a programme for air transport. This will be followed up by the Commission, and the Council of Ministers will be discussing aviation matters at further meetings. The Council spent a considerable time on discussing marine matters such as the prevention of pollution at sea and the means to deal with these problems. There will be further discussions on these matters in the near future.
Deputy Corish had a query in relation to Rosslare Harbour. The scheme is estimated to cost £3¼ million and to take three years to complete from next September, when CIE hope to be able to place the contract.
