Vol. 421 No. 9
7 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if she will outline the number of visitors to date to the Irish Visitor Centre in Expo Sevilla and the number of these who will eventually visit Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Over 374,000 persons visited the Irish pavilion in the first ten weeks, up to 28 June. Visitors to the pavilion will now almost certainly exceed the original 500,000 target, given that the exposition has more than another three months to run, to the closing date on 12 October next.
Although there has been a high level of inquiries about holidays in Ireland from visitors to the pavilion it is not possible to predict with any degree of accuracy the number of those people who will eventually visit Ireland.
Spain is one of the new markets prioritised for devlelopment by Bord Fáilte, who recently opened, for the first time, an office in Madrid, to build on our Expo success and maximise its potential for Irish tourism.
Can the Minister say at this stage what percentage of the 374,000 persons who have visited the Irish pavilion have indicated their desire to visit Ireland? Is he satisfied that our services will be adequate to deal with the increase in the number of tourists who visit Ireland as a result of the work of the people representing Ireland at the Exposition? I am referring to such services as the information available to tourists, car hire — there is a shortage in the number of cars available for hire — and accommodation.
As I say, it is very difficult to predict the percentage of people who have expressed an interest in coming to this country. The feedback from the people who have visited the pavilion has been very positive. Our pavilion has been commented on very favourably. The other matters to which the Deputy referred do not arise in the context of this question. I am satisfied that our infrastructure is adequate to deal with any increase in the number of tourists coming to this country. This infrastructure has been developed over the past few years under the programme for tourism set up in 1987. I am sure the Deputy is aware that we have made provision for 1,000 extra vehicles in the car hire sector this year.
This question deals with the overall service for visitors; we have to look after the visitors who arrive on our shores. That should be the aim of the Minister and Bord Fáilte. There is a shortage of 3,000 cars in the car hire sector at present. One has only to look at the reports issued by five car hire companies, which have been sent to the Minister and Bord Fáilte, to see that the proposals announced in the budget have not dealt with the problem. I ask the Minister to say whether immediate action will be taken to rectify this problem and whether my proposals will be implemented.
The question in relation to car hire is a separate matter.
It is a separate question, but I want to point out that it is not true to say there is a shortage of 3,000 cars in this sector this year. Following detailed discussions with the various car hire operators we were satisfied that the provision of an extra 1,000 vehicles was adequate to meet the demand this year.
I will forward the Minister a copy of the reports of four car hire companies which state that there is a shortage of 3,000 cars.
This is Question Time. Question No. 8, please.
The Government are not aware of what is happening.
