asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the plans made to provide Irish people taking holidays at home with petrol supplies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Tourist Petrol Supplies.
22.
Home holiday makers are catered for within the ordinary general supply arrangements. The scheme for overseas tourists prepared by my Department and Bord Fáilte assures a minimum supply to people who must enter into an expensive air or sea travel commitment before even reaching Ireland and are therefore in a different category.
Is it not the position that the scheme is totally ineffective and that tourists have no more guarantee of petrol than has anybody who is living here all the time, that tourists must queue for petrol and that the minimum amount they are guaranteed is not sufficient to take them from the east coast to the west coast and back? Has the Minister not had numerous complaints from tourists and tourist bodies on this matter?
I would not accept that the scheme is ineffective. So far as I am aware the voucher system is working reasonably well.
That is not so.
That is the information at my disposal.
Do tourists not have to queue like anybody else?
We are considering that aspect of the situation but the Deputy will accept that at least they have the same opportunity as people in local areas. In other words, those garages who operate a system of supplying petrol to regular customers only are prepared to supply also tourists who have these vouchers.
(Cavan-Monaghan): But are tourists guaranteed petrol?
There is no guarantee of supply but under the scheme they have a better chance of obtaining supplies than might be the case otherwise.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is there any depot at which they could call and be given preferential treatment?
That aspect of the situation is being considered.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the whole question not one of make believe in that they get the vouchers but there is no guarantee of petrol?
The scheme is a farce.
When the Minister says it is under consideration what does that mean? This is 14 June, we are half way through the tourist season and this problem, which has been quite obvious to everybody, is still under consideration by the Minister.
The very fact that vouchers were issued was one step and I believe that that system is working.
(Interruptions.)
(Cavan-Monaghan): My information is that it is only causing annoyance and frustration.
That is not correct. It is a pity to be propagating that view.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I am only propagating the Minister's statement.
It is a pity to be propagating that view. We have sufficient problems in the tourist industry without that.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I am trying to get the Minister to do something.
The Minister has done and is doing everything possible in connection with this.
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.