asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he will consider the introduction of petrol vouchers for tourists to be distributed at the points of entry to the country and through the Bord Fáilte offices throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Petrol Vouchers.
11.
The question of a petrol voucher scheme for tourists has been examined from time to time.
There is no evidence which would indicate that a petrol voucher scheme would, in itself, generate any significant extra tourism revenue, while the costs to the State in terms of revenue foregone would be considerable.
We are facing a very poor tourist season and in these circumstances would the Minister not be prepared to reconsider the decision in respect of the introduction of petrol vouchers?
There is no possibility of assuring the Deputy that the matter would be reconsidered. During a period of time this question has been considered and the recommendations to date are similar to earlier ones. There are a number of grounds for that situation. First, only 40 per cent of tourists use their cars here and the difficulties in implementing a petrol voucher scheme for them would be very considerable. Because of that, and having regard also to the fact that transport costs represent the least part of a tourist's budget — accommodation being the biggest part — it is not considered that the introduction of a petrol voucher scheme would create any major or even any minimum growth in Irish tourism.
Will the Minister indicate the average price differential between the price of petrol here and on the Continent? What does he propose to do to attract tourists by way of reducing that differential?
In the opinion of my Department it would not be conducive to attracting tourists to Ireland as an investigation showed that a tourist travelling 700 miles in Ireland would save only £18 on petrol as against travelling the same distance in Britain or Northern Ireland.
That is not the answer to my question. I take it that the Minister does not have the information available. Does he accept that the price of petrol is detrimental to encouraging motoring tourists here? Has he a scheme which would relieve the situation and so improve the tourist season which is now commencing?
The price of petrol is determined by factors outside the control of my Department. The Department would not consider that the introduction of petrol vouchers would be conducive to increasing the number of tourists who will come to Ireland.
Is the Minister saying there will not be fewer tourists in Kerry this year as a result of the price of petrol?
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the question of the withdrawal of school transport facilities from two primary school handicapped children in my constituency.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the importation of a boat load of potatoes this morning through Dundalk port.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of Question No. 2 on today's Order Paper.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the recent remarks made by the British Minister for Defence, Mr. Michael Heseltine, concerning Irish neutrality and the Government's response to those remarks.
I will communicate with the Deputy.
I should like to raise on the Adjournment the future of Scoil Íde, Finglas, in the light of a recent departmental decision.
I will communicate with the Deputy. I should like to draw the attention of the House to the fact that five questions have been ruled as in order for answer as Private Notice Questions. I ask Deputies to bear this in mind when asking supplementary questions.
I understand that you, Sir, have disallowed for the second week in a row a Private Notice Question I tabled in relation to Nicky Kelly, who is on hunger strike, on the basis that it was not urgent.
I have ruled that the question does not comply with the criteria laid down for Private Notice Questions. The reason for this has been conveyed to the Deputy. I cannot allow a discussion on that ruling here. The Deputy will have to find another way to raise it.
I am not asking for a discussion but for guidance. At what stage does a hunger strike become urgent under the criteria of Private Notice Questions? Does the health and the life of a hunger striker have to be at risk before it is considered urgent?
The Deputy is being a little disorderly. It is not the business of the Chair to give directions as to when something will be in order.
It would seem the question is too embarrassing to be answered and that is the reason why it has not been.
The Chair also ruled a question of mine out of order regarding the imprisonment of Bean Uí Mhurchú.
The Deputy knows that he is now availing of a roundabout way of raising a question which I ruled did not meet the necessary criteria. Deputy Prendergast has been given permission to ask a Private Notice Question.