I move amendment No. 1:
In page 2, between lines 17 and 18, to insert a new subsection as follows:
"(2) For the purpose of the giving of grants referred to in subsection (1) of this section, "development of holiday accommodation" shall include all aspects of hotel development including improved hygiene and catering and the provision of additional or improved facilities and the grants may be given in respect of holiday accommodation in any part of the State.".
The purpose of this amendment is to broaden the scope of the Bill. The Minister was inclined to indicate that hotels already had these facilities but, from my discussions with some hoteliers, they assert that any improvement works, such as extending of bedrooms, enlarging a dining area, kitchens and so on, are all tied up in one major operation. My amendment seeks the inclusion of all aspects of hotel development, including improved hygiene and catering and the provision of additional or improved facilities.
The second object is that major areas such as Cork and Dublin be included, in other words that such grants be applicable to hotels in all parts of the State and should not exclude such places as Cork, Dublin, Killarney and so on. It is obvious to all of us Deputies who try to get a bed at short notice that Dublin is in a bad way for bed space. Therefore it is unfair that Dublin or Cork be excluded from the Bill.
I have already made the point that if a tour operator does not succeed in getting first-class accommodation in Dublin or Cork then the danger is—and I have checked this with the Hotels Federation people—the entire tour will be cancelled. Obviously we must pay attention to these places, particularly to ensure that there is first-class accommodation available in Dublin and Cork.
Reverting to the first part of my amendment, I would exclude bars from these grants because, from what I can ascertain, they are fairly well self-supporting and bar areas should not be included in any grant aid. Indeed my own view of some of these hotels is that they have turned out to be types of drinking factories, which is a pity. I should much prefer to see more interest being taken in the provision of afternoon tea or coffee, catering for families and so on.
I know the Minister has made a very valid point about additional bedrooms, and we must keep our priorities in order. Certainly there is one aspect the Minister should consider, that is, that where these people have to undertake the work in conjunction with the provision of extra bedrooms they should have the guidance and advice of Bord Fáilte in all aspects of their development. Bearing in mind also that in the future tourists will not be as mobile the provision of some sort of indoor recreational facilities not needed heretofore should be afforded some grant aid. Also, I emphasise that for the hotels who are having financial problems we might look at restoring the aid formerly given towards meeting the financial commitments by way of interest-free loans or helping where interest rates are now around 20 per cent and are a real burden. We might look at hardship cases.
