asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the drop in tourist numbers in 1988 and the loss of revenue to the tourist industry in 1988, resulting from the fishing dispute caused by the introduction of the rod licence fee.
12.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Angling Tourism Revenue.
6.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he will give details of angling tourism revenue for (i) 1987 and (ii) 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
27.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the latest forecasts for tourism figures for 1989; the impact, if any, which the current rod angling licence dispute will have on tourism in 1989; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
29.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the estimated loss of angling tourism business last year due to the rod licence dispute; and the estimated loss for this year.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 12, 27 and 29 together.
In the first instance, I must remind the Deputies that the rod angling licence is a matter for the Minister for the Marine. I am pleased to point out that according to preliminary Bord Fáilte estimates there was an increase of over 16 per cent in the number of overseas visitors to Ireland in 1988, i.e. from 2.096 million in 1987 to 2.435 million in 1988. Bord Fáilte have targeted a further growth of 16 per cent in 1989. I have no data on what effect the rod licence had on our tourism performance in 1988 or estimates of its impact on the target for 1989.
Bord Fáilte estimate total revenue derived from tourists who came to Ireland specially to fish at £10.8 million in 1987. However, a further £31.6 million was spent by general holidaymakers from home and abroad who availed of the opportunity to fish during the course of their holiday. Comparable statistics for 1988 are not yet available.
I am sorry at the position in which the other people who put down questions for priority find themselves in. Is the Minister aware that estimates by the tourism industry for the west of Ireland alone put the loss in revenue for last year at £4 million to £5 million because of the rod licence dispute and in the town of Oughterard, which has a population of 800, they put the loss at £400,000? In view of this situation does the Minister not think that he, as Minister with overall responsibility for tourism, should have a survey carried out on this problem to help his Government see light on this silly dispute, as the Taoiseach called it, and to introduce a sensible solution to it? Will the Minister carry out a survey in the area to see what the actual losses are on the ground?
One of the basic lessons in logic I learned was to examine the major premise. I have examined the major premise in what the Deputy has said and I do not accept it. I have had no such advice from the relevant Bord Fáilte people in the west of Ireland and I have had no such estimate from them. I do not know where the Deputy got his estimate but I do not see how I can base any kind of judgment on an estimate he plucks from the air.
On a point of order——
Arising from the Minister's reply, I want to say that if he does not have information he should have it and I am asking him to put a survey into operation so that he, as Minister with total overall responsibility for tourism, will know the effect of the rod licence dispute.
Deputy McCartan is rising on a point of order.
Under Standing Orders, I wish to draw the Chair's attention to the fact that the time for Priority Questions has now expired. I regret to say that as a Deputy who is disadvantaged by that rule——
The Deputy may be premature by seconds but I take his point. The Chair watches the time very carefully.
It is not my rule and as one who is unfortunately disadvantaged by it I am seeking to have it rigidly enforced.
I must accept the Deputy's point.
I want to say to Deputy Nealon that I inquired from the Central Statistics Office about that matter and they told me that the estimates will be expedited so as to be published at the end of this week. On receipt of these estimates Bord Fáilte will be able to apportion expenditure between the various segments, for example, angling tourists.
We must now proceed to other questions. Question No. 8.
On a point of order, I must protest most vigorously. Unfortunately, a Cheann Comhairle, my priority question has now, according to the ruling you have just made, been disallowed. Indeed, I was precluded from having any input into the previous question which was coupled with a question I have on the Order Paper.
Deputy Pat O'Malley knows full well the rules of this House.
I also note that this is happening on a very regular basis, particularly to members of my party.
We tried to warn you of this.
It is in the hands of the Ceann Comhairle to orchestrate the business of the House——
It is not in the hands of the Ceann Comhairle to change the Standing Orders of this House.
——so as to ensure that everybody gets a fair crack of the whip.
It is indeed Deputy.
I am well aware that my question——
Deputy O'Malley, I will not take insolence of this kind from you.
I do not regard this as insolence.
Resume your seat, Deputy, please.
I do not regard it as insolence——
Please, Deputy.
——to protest at my being precluded from asking a question which I put down on a matter of priority.
I now ask Deputy O'Malley to leave the House.
I am insisting on making my protest.
Deputy O'Malley, resume your seat or leave the House.
I insist on making my protest.
Deputy O'Malley, leave the House.
Do you want me to leave the House?
I do.
It is a farce——
The Chair has consistently brought to the notice of Members at Priority Time the necessity of making progress.
This system is a complete and utter farce and it works against my party continuously.
The Deputy's party agreed to the rules. We were the only party who voted against them.
The Chair can do no more in the matter and will not accept abuse from any Member. Leave the House, Deputy, please.
Deputy P. O'Malley withdrew from the Chamber.
Question No. 8.