asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what steps are being taken, particularly in the area contiguous to Shannon Airport, to provide additional hotel accommodation for the anticipated increase in the tourist trade.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hotel Accommodation at Shannon Airport.
The provision of hotel accommodation is primarily a matter for private enterprise but I recognise that from the point of view of tourist development an improvement and increase of accommodation is a cardinal necessity. As I indicated when speaking on the Estimate for Tourism in the Dáil on the 2nd July, a Bill is being introduced in the Dáil this week to extend for a further period the powers provided under the Tourist Traffic Act, 1952, to guarantee loans to hoteliers for the extension, modernisation or improvement of holiday accommodation.
So far as the area mentioned by the Deputy is concerned I am aware that certain proposals for the provision of additional accommodation are under discussion between Board Fáilte Éireann and the private interests concerned.
In view of the special potentialities for the development of tourism provided by the existence of Shannon Airport, I asked Bord Fáilte Éireann last month to examine urgently the possibility of developing holiday facilities in the region of the airport as a special promotional effort. I await a report from the board as to what may be practicable in that regard.
Would the Minister say if I am correct in stating that three months ago I and other interested parties placed proposals before him for the erection of a 155-bedroomed hotel in Limerick and that these proposals are proceeding in a satisfactory manner? It is a bit late in the day for Deputy Russell.
Sour grapes.