David Andrews
Question:15 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the action, if any, he is taking to improve access for tourists to the western region which is showing negligible tourism growth. [1556/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Air Services.
Robert Molloy
Question:20 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his views on the deficiencies in the current air access arrangements to Galway airport, in particular the lack of direct flights from the United Kingdom and other European destinations and the negative effect this is having on tourism; if his Department has consulted with the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications on the matter; and the steps, if any, being taken to improve the situation. [1481/96]
Tony Killeen
Question:28 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to address the causes for concern expressed by hoteliers in the Munster region as seen in the October 1995, Business Confidence Monitor undertaken by BDO Simpson Xavier.
Michael McDowell
Question:40 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the steps, if any, he has taken in 1995 to develop more competitive, regular and good quality air access to facilitate the growth of tourism in the west of Ireland in line with one of the key corporate objectives of his Department as stated in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 18 on 9 February 1995; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1472/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 20, 28 and 40 together.
The issues raised in the Deputies' questions relate to the provision of air services for tourists to the western region and to concerns about air services to the south and south west expressed by hoteliers in a recent survey, which otherwise was very optimistic about the prospects in the short-term.
It is important to emphasise that the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications has overall responsibility for the regulation of air services to and from Ireland and for policy in relation to regional airports. Since my appointment as Minister for Tourism and Trade both I and my Department have been in regular contact with the Minister and his Department on the development of more competitive, regular and good access links with our main markets. I am particularly anxious that opportunities for expanding access to Ireland and the regions generally should be fully exploited.
I am glad to say that some progress in this area has been made, with an increasing number of European tour operators undertaking direct charter services into airports outside Dublin, including Cork, Kerry, Shannon and Knock. Nearly 180,000 seats are now provided annually on inbound charter services with very competitive prices from mainland Europe. Eighty per cent of these go to airports other than Dublin. I am especially pleased with the decision of tour operators from Germany to commence services to Knock for the first time in 1996. In addition to the charter services, Aer Lingus schedule services from Germany are now servicing Kerry directly.
Increased competition on the London-Shannon route has now been facilitated by the commencement of services on that route by AB Shannon since December 1995. In addition, Aer Rianta has announced that new carrier development at Cork and Shannon will be further facilitated by a package of landing charge rebates which exceeds the incentives available at Dublin.
I understand from preliminary figures provided by the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications that combined passenger movements at all regional airports in 1995 were 20 per cent higher than the 1994 figure, reaching over 350,000, and that Cork and Shannon airports reported terminal traffic increases of 21 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively.
The marketing sub-programme of the Operational Programme for Tourism provides for particular priority being given to the marketing of additional capacity and new routes. I would hope that as our international marketing efforts continue to attract more and more visitors to Ireland, the demand for direct access to the regions will grow and further new services will be developed.
However, in the final analysis it is important to bear in mind that the initiation of new services, including the expansion of existing services, is a matter solely for decision by the individual airlines on the basis of their commercial judgment. The development plans, traffic potential and viability of the regional airports are primarily matters for the individual airport companies.
I hope the Minister's optimistic reply becomes a reality because as he knows considerable concern has been expressed in this regard, particularly by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation, which is the umbrella organisation for the other organisations. Recent Irish Tourist Industry Confederation research has indicated that tourism, particularly in the past two years, has been growing much faster in the east than in the west.
A question please, Deputy.
The cause of that is cheaper ferry travel through Rosslare, Dún Laoghaire, Larne and Dublin Port in addition to the considerable volume of traffic through Dublin Airport. Will the Minister outline the plans, if any, he has to give the people in his own part of the country, the western seaboard, some hope that this imbalance will be redressed? I speak as a Dublin man who is devoted to the growth of his own city and county but——
The question is overlong. I must call on the Minister to respond.
——I believe we must be fair and balanced. Will the Minister give an undertaking regarding the approach of his Department? I realise he does not have responsibility for Bord Fáilte until such time as it suits him to have such responsibility.
For the Deputy's information, in 1990, for example, the total expenditure in the western region——
There is no point in the Minister giving out shabby old figures that have been dug up.
Rubbish.
The yield is more important than numbers, as Deputy Molloy knows well.
Tell that to the hoteliers.
I will tell them that.
The Minister did not answer my Question No. 20.
Let us hear the Minister's reply. I am anxious to move on to other questions.
I will respond to Deputy Molloy in a moment if he gives me an opportunity.
The Minister did not answer the question.
The total spend from overseas tourism revenue in 1990 was £448.1 million; the figure for 1994 was £557.4 million. I wish to refer to the numbers that have passed through the regional airports. In Donegal, for example, from 1991-95 there was a 13 per cent increase; Sligo was up by 16 per cent; Knock was up by 7 per cent; Galway was down minus 1 per cent——
That is the first time the Minister has referred to Galway, which is mentioned in my question.
The Minister, without interruption.
Kerry was up by 101 per cent and Waterford was up by 44 per cent. It is important to note also that 54 per cent of the revenue spent on tourism is spent in the western region. Too often a pessimistic view is taken of this matter. Every visitor who comes to any part of Ireland is a potential visitor to other counties. I am well aware of the hoteliers' concerns and for that reason we must have a good programme of investment and in that regard we have invited worthwhile projects to be applied for under the European Regional Development Fund programme. On the west coast, special designated tourist resort areas for tax purposes were approved in last year's budget for the provision of up-to-date quality facilities. The general economic climate outlined in yesterday's budget will help both employment and investment in terms of tourism facilities. I am not in any way despondent about this matter. I am working with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, on securing easier access to our regional airports and I will continue to do that.
The Minister is not doing anything for Galway.
Galway had its best ever season.
The Minister did not have the courage to answer the question.