I think it is correct to say that the principle of this Bill has been accepted by all those who have spoken in this debate. It is true that there has been some criticism in regard to the fact that two boards are to be established under the Bill to control the tourist development industry and publicity. I do not think there is very much in the criticism that has been made in that regard if we take it that each board will have separate functions to perform. An Fógra Fáilte will be called upon to carry out an intensive publicity campaign not only in this country but, what is even more important, outside the country in order to encourage tourists to come here. An Bord Fáilte, on the other hand, will be called upon to promote the development of the tourist industry. Now, these are two separate specific functions which can be performed efficiently by each board. If we were to say, as some person might logically say, that all activities connected with tourism should be brought under the control of one board, it would follow, I think, that transport, which is a very important activity in regard to tourism, would also require to be brought under that board. Again, as regards the development of tourism, we have to consider that local authorities play a very big part in the provision of amenities in regard to the tourist industry. There, again, it might be suggested that they, too, should be brought under this board. I suggest that, if the matter is carefully examined, there is not any reasonable case for objecting to two distinct boards carrying out separate functions, provided, of course, that these functions are clearly defined.
As I have said, there is nothing perhaps more important in regard to the development of the tourist industry than efficient transport not only within the limits of our own territory but also in the conveyance of passengers to and from this State. When the Minister was a little younger and perhaps a little bit more ambitious, he did seek to establish a transatlantic air service for the purpose of bringing tourists directly from the United States to this country. That particular activity was cut short by the Minister's successors. I wonder whether, when they abolished that service, they did so from some constructive motive, or whether they were acting just as children act when they destroy other children's toys. Anyhow, it is not the intention of either An Bord Fáilte, or of Fógra Fáilte, which is being established under this Bill, to control transport, but I am quite sure that An Bord Fáilte will take a very keen interest in the transport services that have been provided to and from this country, and also in the transport services within the limits of our nation.
There is one other aspect of general policy outlined in the Bill which was referred to. I think that Deputy Giles, when speaking last week, objected to tourism on the grounds that it might possibly demoralise our people. His suggestion, apparently, was that the morals and the nationality of the Irish people are so tender that they require to be kept under a glass case so that they will not become contaminated by outside influences. I do not share that view. I think that our nationality and our religion are more robust than Deputy Giles seems to think. On general principles, I think it will be accepted that, while we will do everything possible to encourage tourism here, it is not the intention of this Bill, and I am sure it is not the intention of the Government, to lower moral standards in order to encourage tourism. There are small countries in Europe which encourage and promote tourism by developing intensive gambling systems, but I am sure that such an intention is not implied in this Bill. I do not think that would be the intention of any Government here.
So far as the provisions in this Bill in regard to the licensing laws are concerned, I am not too well informed on those matters, but, as far as I can see, these provisions seek merely to give to tourists, staying in our hotels, facilities similar to those which, in the normal course, would be enjoyed by people living in the country. Having regard to the circumstances under which tourists live, being only a short time in a country, it is necessary, I think, that hotels should have this additional accommodation. How far we may go in that direction is a matter upon which there might be considerable discussion.
The main purpose of this Bill is, as I have said, first of all to attract tourists to this country. For that purpose, there must be world-wide publicity. When I say world-wide, I mean that there must be publicity in those countries which are likely to send tourists here. In that connection, it would seem to me essential that Fógra Fáilte should be equipped with powers to advertise our tourist attractions, to advertise them in the Press and in the magazines of other countries where it is possible to do so. I would imagine also that the radio would be utilised for that purpose. Just as we have the Hospitals Trust sponsoring a programme over the radio each evening, there is no reason why Fógra Fáilte should not also have a sponsored programme directed towards people abroad who might be inclined to visit our country. In the same way, short films could be produced showing the advantage of this country from a tourist point of view, thus helping to attract additional numbers of visitors here. I assume that if and when shortwave broadcasting is adopted it will be possible to broadcast propaganda to the United States, and in that way bring not only to the notice of our own people there but to American citizens generally, the amenities and attractions which this country can offer to them.
Some Deputies seem to have a rather poor opinion of the "returned American." Very strong views were expressed in relation to him. The Deputies who expressed those views may have been a little bit unfortunate; they may not have met the right kind of "returned American". We all know that the Irish-American is inclined to boast when he returns home but I do not think we should assume from that, as one Deputy did, that when he goes back to the United States he will continue to deride us and disparage the country. He may express a certain contempt or disapproval of our attractions and amenities while he is here but I am quite certain that, if he runs true to form, he will proceed to boast about the fine country he came from when he returns to the United States.
There is immense room for development in relation to publicity. Large numbers of the citizens of the United States bear Irish names. These names connote for them a definite association with this country. I think it would be good publicity to publish in periodicals and newspapers circulating in the United States historical sketches of the various families whose members are now living in the United States. I am sure there are hundreds of thousands of Murphys in America and I am sure every Murphy would be anxious to know the history of the Murphy family, where it came from, the spot on which the ancestral castle stood and the part the family played in the making of Irish history. Information of that type would encourage Irish-Americans to visit the homeland.
In answer to those who sought to disparage our nation and its attractions from a tourist point of view, there is no harm in reflecting upon the views expressed in the Christenberry report. If that report does nothing else, it does at least encourage us to count our blessings. In the Christenberry report it was pointed out that from an American point of view tourism here to-day is comparatively cheap. That may come as a shock to those amongst us who talk so frequently about the high cost of living and high prices farmers are getting for their produce. In the report it is clearly indicated that Ireland offers an attraction to American tourists by reason of economy.
Another surprising feature mentioned in that report is the fact that our summer days are much longer than they are in parts of America. I must admit that I was not aware of that, but it is mentioned as one of the attractions here; we enjoy a longer period of daylight in summer than do the people in certain parts of America.
Again, we are not, perhaps, inclined to appreciate our ancient monuments. Yet our ancient castles are looked upon by tourists as an attraction. There is need in this regard for the Tourist Board to encourage a little more local knowledge on the part of our people in relation to ancient monuments, ancient castles and attractions of that kind. Local patriotism is always a good thing and it is equally a good thing that our young people should know and appreciate the historic features of their own parishes or counties. From a commercial point of view, that knowledge is also valuable in order that the tourist may be in a position to obtain information in relation to historic features from any local person he may happen to meet. If we had a little more instruction on these features, not only in the schools but also through the medium of lectures and classes in local areas, that would be a very useful national work and very helpful from the tourist point of view.
The Christenberry report referred also to the friendliness of our people. Politicians may be inclined to assume that we are not a friendly people. The conclusion was definitely reached in the report that we are on the whole a friendly people and, whatever little disadvantages we may suffer from the point of view of our climate, they are more than offset by this friendliness. I hope that will continue to be a characteristic of our people.
Our much condemned weather receives kindly mention in the report. Some of us may think we have the worst climate in the world. Apparently people who endure prolonged periods of brilliant sunshine find a little shower of rain now and again very desirable. Our cloudy skies are sometimes more attractive from their point of view than the unchanging brilliancy of their skies. We should, indeed, feel that we have something to offer to tourists and we should have confidence in embarking upon a certain amount of public expenditure in view of the fact that people from outside the country have commented favourably upon the attractions the nation has to offer.
In regard to the activities of An Bord Fáilte, there has been a certain amount of criticism. Some appear to think that the grading of hotels constitutes an unwarranted interference with the ordinary day-to-day business of hoteliers. I think, in reason and common sense, if we are embarking on a fairly considerable amount of public expenditure with a view to bringing tourists to this nation, we ought at least insist that those people who are induced to come here will be given a certain minimum standard of comfort and catering.
I hope that, when this Bill comes into force, some justifiable criticism of the Tourist Board inspectors will have been considered so that it will be avoided in future. There are two particular types of inspectors who have incurred a good deal of displeasure. We have the inspector who comes into an hotel and who offends and insults the hotel keeper in the presence of his staff and in the presence of his guests. I think that is something that should not happen. It is unnecessary even for the improvement of hotels generally. A courteous and competent official could very easily achieve all the purposes it is intended to achieve without giving offence to the hotel keeper and certainly without giving offence to him in the presence of guests or the staff.
There is another type of inspector who has incurred considerable displeasure, and that is the inspector who is courteous to the hotel keeper and everybody in the hotel but, when he gets away out of sight and out of reach, writes a very adverse report which completely spoils the whole effect of the goodwill which he has achieved during his visit. There again that is not quite necessary. If an hotel is very badly run or very grave faults are found within the hotel, I think the courteous thing to do would be privately to bring its faults to the notice of the hotel keeper. With goodwill, courtesy and efficiency on the part of inspectors, a good deal of the dissatisfaction that has existed can be removed. Everybody who is reasonable and who wants to see the hotel business graded upwards will agree that inspection is necessary. All that is required is to make it as unobjectionable as possible while maintaining efficiency.
There is, however, another very important matter which, I think, I should mention because it will play a very big part in the development of tourism. This Bill provides for the improvement and extension of hotels but it must be recognised that there is another Department of State which, immediately an improvement of an hotel is reported, will send out another kind of inspector who will examine the building with a view to raising the valuation. In some cases comparatively small hotels have had their valuations doubled and trebled because they sought merely to bring the standard of the hotel up to modern requirements. I think it would be a very good thing —it would go a long way towards making this Bill more beneficial than it is —if a stay were put upon increasing the valuation. If, as I have said, a period of seven years were allowed to elapse from the time construction work is carried out until the valuation is increased, that would be an encouragement to the hotel keeper to spend money upon improvement work.
We all know that when we talk about hotels we are not talking about big companies with large finances developing a number of large hotels. In the main the majority of hotels are of the smaller type. We are talking about the small, privately-owned hotel. While we hope that tourism will continue to improve and expand, we have got to look at the two sides of the question. Tourism is purely a seasonal business and a hotelier, who depends almost entirely on tourism, has to maintain what is, in effect, "a white elephant" for eight or nine months of the year. He has to keep in proper repair a large building which is in many cases subject to damp, particularly if the hotel is near the seaside where it is subject and exposed to all the attacks of weather conditions.
I think it ought not to be assumed that, because tourism does show signs of becoming better, improving and expanding, the hotelier possesses something in the nature of a gold mine. I think he has nothing of the kind and I am in complete agreement with those who hold and insist that charges in the hotels should be kept at a reasonable level. It would be wrong and entirely bad for the tourist industry if excessive charges were allowed in view of those circumstances. In view of the fact that while their charges are regulated to a considerable extent and that their season for earning money is quite short each year, I think it is desirable that they should be encouraged to enlarge and extend their buildings. That encouragement should be given not only through the aids which are provided under this Bill but also through a temporary exemption from any increased valuation.
The Bill seeks to grade hotels so that any person coming to this country can see at a glance what is a first-class hotel and what is a second-class hotel. I think it would be a very good thing— I believe this was suggested in the Christenberry report—if some attractive sign were to be placed on every hotel if it were graded "A" so that a stranger coming into a town or a village would see at a glance where the hotel was situated. In the same way, it is desirable that road signs should be erected. The local authorities should erect road signs and all signs should be clearly defined and attractive pointing out places of particular interest.
In this connection, I might mention that in West Wicklow, through the activities of a county association and also through those of that very deserving body, the Dublin Wicklowmen's Association, we have in the Glen of Imaal, a monument provided in memory of Sam McAllister.
That monument takes the form of the reconstruction of the building in which McAllister lost his life. It was a very praiseworthy work, but the Glen of Imaal, as the Minister knows, is far removed from any kind of main road and tourists wishing to visit that particular monument would find it extremely difficult to locate. Therefore, good road signs in this connection are very desirable so as to ensure that tourists will not miss points of interest as they travel through the country and so that they will be able to reach them by the easiest and the quickest route.
Again, I am sure that steps will be taken to open up areas which are centres of scenic beauty but which are out of reach of the general public or the travelling public because of inferior roads. I hope the Tourist Board will find it possible to assist the local councils to improve roads leading to some of our outstanding beauty spots. Grants of that kind would be very well spent.
One does not like mentioning one's own constituency but it is hardly necessary to say that the various beauty centres of County Wicklow are to a great extent isolated by reason of the inferior roads cutting through the mountains. We would have no roads at all in the Wicklow Mountains if it were not for the fight put up by Michael Dwyer and the efforts to hunt him down, which made it necessary for the then Government to provide roads through the mountain districts of Wicklow. But there are certain of these roads which could be improved and by their improvement a centre of Wicklow would be opened up to tourist traffic. That would be an amenity and an advantage not only to tourists visiting this country but to our own people, particularly the people in the City of Dublin, who would find this attractive scenery a great boon, being quite near them.
In my opinion, one of the most important features of this Bill is the proposal for the establishment of local development companies and the provision of finance for the establishment of these companies. No organisation is really alive unless it is supported by local bodies. A big office in the City of Dublin may be run very efficiently but unless there is local interest and local support that body will be to a great extent a white elephant.
It is difficult to define what exactly is a tourist centre because there are many places in this country which are not regarded as tourist centres at the present time but which could, with development, be made very attractive to tourists. I believe that in every such local area there should be a local organisation whose primary purpose should be to improve that area from the tourist point of view and to attract tourists to it. One of the most important things would be the organisation of tours to the various centres. Assuming there is a local development company established, that company should undertake to organise bus tours or other types of tours to the various centres of interest around that locality. That is a work which a local body could do. It is not generally recognised that the majority of those who avail of holidays to-day are not exactly similar to the people who used to take holidays 50 or 60 years ago. To-day the ordinary working people of Great Britain, of other industrial countries, and of Ireland also, find that they can afford now and again to take a week or a fortnight's holidays, and it is only right that they should.
It is also not generally recognised that the people who seek holidays outside their own locality are not always very clear in their minds as to the enjoyment which they desire. It is because of that fact that organised holiday camps were established in recent years. The promoters of those camps are cashing in quickly upon a need which exists because there are numbers of people who cannot make up their minds as to what form of enjoyment they intend to take.
What is done by the promoters of holiday camps can be done more efficiently by a local development company in each area, that is to say, this local development company would not only bring tourists to a district and provide them with better amenities but would also take some measures to organise daily amusement for those people, to bring them together perhaps in a holiday centre and send with them a guide who would take them to the various spots of interest. That is work of a constructive nature. It is work that would bring a great advantage to any tourist area that would undertake it. I think it was Deputy McQuillan who expressed regret that the people of Roscommon were not allowed to shoot themselves. We in Wicklow might have a similar complaint. There are vast areas in Wicklow where the local people are not allowed to shoot.