asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will consider the position of small hotels and hotels in rural districts which have to carry out large-scale improvements on their hotel accommodation in accordance with the terms of recent legislation, and if he will defer by legislation, if necessary, the obligation to carry out all such schemes of reconstruction and work until after the emergency, in view of the shortage and high cost of materials, and the number of persons who are depending on hotel business for a livelihood.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hotel Reconstruction.
The Irish Tourist Board has made regulations prescribing that premises, to be eligible for registration in the Register of Hotels, shall comply with certain requirements as regards construction and repair. I am not prepared to interfere with the discretion of the board, which is the statutory body charged, under the Tourist Traffic Act, 1939, with responsibility in regard to these matters, nor is it intended to amend the existing legislation as suggested by the Deputy.