The object of this Bill is to dissolve Fógra Fáilte, which is at present responsible for tourist publicity, and to transfer its functions, assets and liabilities to An Bord Fáilte. From an examination I have made of the working of the tourist organisations I am convinced that there is no justification for the existence of two separate statutory bodies dealing with tourism. I am satisfied that the most effective method of promoting tourism is to have all the functions discharged by the one statutory body.
There are at present three separate organisations with responsibilities in connection with the development and publicising of the tourist industry. Two of these, An Bord Fáilte and Fógra Fáilte, are statutory bodies; the third, the Irish Tourist Association, is a private organisation.
An Bord Fáilte was the name given by the Tourist Traffic Act, 1952, to the Irish Tourist Board which was originally established by the Tourist Traffic Act, 1939. The general function of An Bord Fáilte is to encourage and promote the development of tourist traffic in and to the State. In effect this means that An Bord Fáilte discharges all functions in connection with tourism except those related to publicity. Under the Act of 1952 the board may receive a Grant-in-Aid not exceeding £250,000 each year for the discharge of its functions.
Prior to 1951, publicity functions in connection with tourism had been divided between the Irish Tourist Board and the Irish Tourist Association. In September, 1951, a special board was set up to deal with the publicising of the industry and this board was given statutory establishment and was named Fógra Fáilte by the Tourist Traffic Act, 1952. It was provided that this board also might receive an annual Grant-in-Aid not exceeding £250,000.
The third organisation, the Irish Tourist Association, is a private company which was established more than 25 years ago and which since then has been actively engaged in encouraging tourist traffic. It consists of representatives of local authorities, the hotel industry and other organisations interested in the promotion of tourism. The association derives its revenue mainly from voluntary contributions made to it by local authorities for tourist publicity purposes. When the legislation of 1952 was being prepared it was recognised that the Irish Tourist Association occupied a special position in regard to tourism by virtue of its previous activities. This special position was recognised by an administrative arrangement under which three directors of the association were appointed as directors of Fógra Fáilte. In addition, by arrangement with Fógra Fáilte the association was given responsibility for the operation of all the tourist bureaux within the country.
Since taking office I have made a very full and detailed study of the whole position in regard to the organisations dealing with tourism. As a result I have come to the conclusion that there is no valid reason for the existence of two separate statutory bodies. On the contrary, I believe that the existence of these two bodies has resulted in needless duplication of staffs and a lack of effective control and direction of staff and of functions. There was evidence also of clashes of personality and of unhealthy rivalry between the two bodies. I think the Seanad will agree that this is a most unsatisfactory state of affairs. It is a state of affairs which has to be remedied if the country is to get the best possible value for the very considerable sums voted by the Oireachtas for tourist development and publicity.
Section 10 of this Bill will give effect to my proposal to dissolve Fógra Fáilte. Section 4 repeals those parts of the Act of 1952, which deal with the establishment, functions, financing and organisation of Fógra Fáilte. The publicity functions of Fógra Fáilte will, by virtue of Section 6 of the Bill, be transferred to a new statutory board; Sections 11 to 16 provide for the transfer to the new board of the assets and liabilities and staff of Fógra Fáilte, and Section 5 provides that this board will be known as "Bord Fáilte Éireann."
Senators will observe that the new board is being given a new name—"Bord Fáilte Éireann." I had proposed originally to the Dáil that the title of the new board should be "An Bord Fáilte (Irish Tourist Board)". The view was generally expressed, however, that it would be more in conformity with policy that the name of the new board should be in the Irish language only, and the feeling appeared to be that the board would be readily identifiable in foreign countries notwithstanding the fact that its title was in the Irish language only. While I had certain doubts about the identifiability abroad of a board such as this, whose name was in the Irish language only, nevertheless I had not any very strong views in the matter. After reconsidering the matter further, I agreed to change the title of the new board to Bord Fáilte Éireann. Apart from the considerations which I have referred to, I think that there is advantage in giving the new board a new name since the new board will be responsible for the discharge of all statutory functions in relation to the promotion of tourism.
I wish to make it clear that it is the policy of the present Government to develop the tourist industry to the fullest possible extent, and I am satisfied that expenditure within a limit of £500,000 each year by the State in connection with the tourist industry is justified. This is the limit of expenditure on tourist development and publicity authorised by the Act of 1952. I am, however, concerned to ensure that this money will be spent to the best possible advantage. It is essential that the new board should operate efficiently and economically and I propose to take steps to ensure that prudence and realism will be the tests applied to future expenditure.
I have already referred to the special position which the Irish Tourist Association occupies in relation to the tourist industry. We all appreciate the very useful pioneering work which the association has performed in relation to tourism. I believe that the association can continue to play an important part in the task of developing the industry. I am most anxious to avail of the widespread connections and goodwill of the association while at the same time preserving the main purpose of this Bill, which is to make one statutory board responsible for all tourist development and publicity functions.
The Seanad will agree that it is essential that moneys which are voted by the Oireachtas for statutory purposes should be expended by a body over which the Oireachtas has adequate statutory control. In such circumstances it would not be possible to make payments out of the Exchequer for private bodies such as the Irish Tourist Association. I am, however, prepared to recognise the special position of the Irish Tourist Association by providing that the association will have representation on the new board. This representation will be on the understanding that the present level of contributions by local authorities to the association will be maintained. The person or persons appointed would cease to be members of the board if at any time they ceased to be directors of the association. These are the conditions under which the Irish Tourist Association is at present represented on the Board of Fógra Fáilte.
I visualise also that the present arrangement under which the association operates the various tourist bureaux in Ireland will be continued when the new board is set up. Through its representation on the new board the Irish Tourist Association will share in the important task of organising the future development and publicising of the tourist industry. I think I should point out that at present the association, through its representation on Fógra Fáilte, is concerned only with the publicity side of tourism. In future, under the proposed arrangements which I have outlined, the association will have, through its representation on the new board, responsibility in relation to all the statutory functions of the new board for the development of the tourist traffic industry.
At present An Bord Fáilte has a maximum membership of seven. I propose that the membership of the new board should be the same and accordingly no provision is made in the Bill for any change. In deciding on the composition of the new board it will be my aim to ensure a fair and proper balance as between the various interests which are concerned with the tourist business. I will endeavour to make the board as representative as I possibly can and I will appoint a board consisting of persons who will be likely to work together in harmony and co-operation and who will manage the affairs of the new board with enthusiasm and efficiency.
I think that at this stage I should make a brief reference to An Tóstal in order to clear up certain misunderstandings. Doubts have been expressed from time to time concerning my attitude and the attitude of the Government towards An Tóstal and it has been implied that the Government's attitude is that the holding of An Tóstal in 1955 is being tolerated rather than encouraged. These opinions are entirely wrong and I should like to assure the House that the Government are giving their full support to An Tóstal for 1955. I should, perhaps, say that when I took office one of the first tasks which I undertook was to carry out a general review of policy in connection with this project. I had discussions about it with An Bord Fáilte and Fógra Fáilte as a result of which, in September, 1954, I decided that An Tóstal should be held again in 1955. I also told the boards that they could plan for the holding of An Tóstal in 1956. I did this because it was clear that arrangements for such an event had to be made well in advance particularly so far as publicity and the sponsoring of international events are concerned. This is the first time than An Tóstal can be planned two years ahead. Up to this year planning was from year to year. I have, of course, made it clear to the boards that I am critical of some of the arrangements made in connection with An Tóstal in 1953 and 1954. I have told them that I intend to keep the whole question of An Tóstal under constant review and to arrange for a close and continuous scrutiny of all features which An Bord Fáilte might propose to organise in connection with An Tóstal, 1955. For this purpose I have seconded a senior officer of my Department to sit in on meetings of the board at which arrangements for An Tóstal are discussed. I understand that this arrangement has been satisfactory.
Some questions have been raised about the progress which An Bord Fáilte has been making with the discharge of its functions in relation to such matters as the opening up of access to historic monuments, shrines and beauty spots. In the discharge of functions of this kind, the board has adopted the sensible policy of arranging, as far as possible, to have the necessary improvement works carried out on its behalf by local authorities on a recoupment basis. It is obviously more economic for the board to use the existing local authority organisation to carry out such works than to set up an organisation of its own for the purpose. The board also requires the co-operation of local authorities in such matters as the signposting of roads and the development of tourist resorts.
I am informed that some local authorities have not been as co-operative as they might be in regard to such matters. The task of developing our tourist industry is a difficult one and it is necessary for all those who are directly or indirectly concerned with the industry to play their part if the efforts of the board are to be fully successful. I appeal, therefore, to local authorities to take a more active interest in the improvement of the tourist amenities of the areas with which they are concerned, and to cooperate as much as they can with the board in effecting the many improvements which are necessary.
Another problem which is causing a good deal of concern at the moment is the question of transport facilities on the Dún Laoghaire-Holyhead route. Severe criticism of these facilities was voiced in the Dáil and it was the considered opinion of that House that our people are entitled to get from British Railways better transport services than they are getting at present. There can, I think, be little question that the development of our tourist industry is seriously hampered by the lack of proper facilities for travellers on this important route. I have taken up this matter very strongly with British Railways and have made it quite clear to them that I am determined that adequate services will be provided between Dún Laoghaire and Holyhead. I have told them that unless I can be assured that there will be an adequate and comfortable service for the 1955 summer season, I propose to take up the matter personally with the British Minister for Transport.
It will be observed that Section 2 of the Bill provides that the Act shall come into operation on a date which I will appoint by Order. It is usual for purposes of convenience to effect the amalgamation of two companies or other bodies of that kind on a date which will be suitable from the point of view of whatever financial and accounting arrangements are involved. In practice where the two bodies have the same financial years the date selected is either the first day of that year or alternatively the first day of the second six months' accounting period. I have not yet finally decided on the date on which I will bring this Bill into operation, but my aim will be to bring the Bill into operation as soon as possible.
I think it is more important than ever at the present juncture that we should have here in this country an effective and virile tourist organisation. The pattern of our tourist trade has undergone a radical change in recent years. The boom which the industry enjoyed immediately after the end of World War II was due to exceptional circumstances which have now disappeared. Many of our visitors in the immediate post-war years came because of the plentiful supply of food and because there was no rationing or other austerities. With the disappearance of rationing and austerity in Britain and the increase in currency allowances for travel to the Continent, many of the people who formerly came here on holidays now no longer do so. I think that in future we will have to aim at attracting the middle class and working class people in Britain who are in steady employment and who can afford to spend a limited sum of money each year for the purpose of having a modest holiday. My remarks apply also to some extent to the middle class American family. It is my personal conviction that the future of the tourist trade here depends on the success of our efforts to attract tourists of this kind.
There is no doubt that competition for tourist traffic is growing ever keener; and if we are to face up successfully to this competition it is essential that the job of developing and publicising this country's tourist industry should be carried out as capably and as effectively as possible. I am satisfied that this can only be done by arranging for the amalgamation of the two existing tourist organisations in the manner suggested in this Bill. In anticipation of the enactment of legislation I have already made arrangements which have now been in operation for some time under which the directors of An Bord Fáilte and Fógra Fáilte hold joint meetings for the transaction of the business of the two boards. These arrangements are working in practice and illustrate that it is possible to have the functions of tourist development and tourist publicity undertaken under the one direction on the basis outlined in the Bill. I commend the Bill to the approval of the House.