Vol. 460 No. 4
88 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the concerns, if any, he has regarding the impact on tourism in 1995 by reason of the delay in commencing the high speed ferry service in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin. [1580/96]
There is no evidence to suggest that the delay in launching the high speed ferry service between Dún Laoghaire and Holyhead by Stena Line has had a negative impact on the number of visitors to Ireland in 1995. Preliminary estimates by Bord Fáilte for the performance of the tourism sector in 1995 indicate that Britain has generated record tourism earnings of half a billion pounds in the Irish economy. This represents an increase of 11 per cent on the 1994 revenue figure. British visitor numbers in 1995 are estimated to have increased by 12 per cent to 2.3 million.
