Vol. 500 No. 1
61 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation where Ireland lies in terms of value for money in the areas of hotel accommodation, restaurant prices, drinks prices and car hire prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3478/99]
The best available gauge of visitor perceptions of value for money in areas such as those specified by the Deputy is the biennial Bord Fáilte visitor attitudes survey, the most recent of which was carried out in 1997. The results of that survey show that more than eight in ten overseas holiday makers who use top and medium grade hotels were very or fairly satisfied with price as were eight in ten who used other grade hotels; 97 per cent of overseas holiday makers who used high quality restaurants and more than nine out of ten who used budget restaurants were very or fairly satisfied with price and three out of four overseas holiday makers who rented or hired cars were very or fairly satisfied with price.
In a comparison of prices generally, 89 per cent of overseas holiday makers considered prices in Ireland to be lower, about the same or higher but acceptable, compared to prices in their own country and 81 per cent considered prices in Ireland to be lower, about the same or higher but acceptable compared to prices in other holiday destinations which were believed to offer the same type of holiday as Ireland.
While there can be no room for complacency and we must continue to strive for improvement, there is no doubt that these results are reassuring.
While I agree with much of the Minister's reply, does he agree that the cost of car hire is a huge issue and is not value for money? Does he intend to introduce any measures to tackle this problem? The difficulty with the cost of car hire is attributable to the short season and the length of time cars are out on hire. Does the Minister further agree that the congestion of the roads out of Dublin, the lack of adequate air services to regional airports and an inadequate rail service mean that destinations outside Dublin are at a disadvantage?
I agree with the Deputy's last point. With regard to car hire, the situation has improved dramatically in recent years, particularly with the introduction of the special arrangements for VRT. That has improved matters by giving the car hire companies a cashflow, which they did not have previously. The increased number of tourists coming to this country and the extension of the season have also helped in keeping car hire prices down. These factors have also assisted in improving car hire services. Certainly, some people will claim that car hire is a problem but where car hire is included in package deals, it has improved dramatically.
Does the Minister agree that one of the inhibiting factors in having a quality holiday experience in this country is the disgraceful condition of many of our resorts and scenic areas due to litter and the carelessness of the people who leave refuse in such areas? Will he, with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, launch a national clean up campaign and instil pride in our people about the condition of our country?
The Minister agreed that areas outside Dublin are at a disadvantage. Does he intend to take any measures, particularly with regard to rail and air services to the regions, to give these areas a fair crack of the whip?
Since I took office I have indicated to Bord Fáilte on a number of occasions, as recently as this week in a letter, that it must vigorously pursue a policy of regionalisation. In other words, it should try to ensure that all regions of the country are treated equally and that there will be a regional spread outside Dublin. Bord Fáilte is pursuing this through the marketing areas we discussed earlier.
I agree with the Deputy that there is a problem with litter. On the streets of Dublin one can sometimes find oneself, within 50 metres of the pavement, in what can only be described as a human ashtray. Certainly, more could be done to tackle this problem.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
