asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, in view of the 20 per cent reduction in tourist bookings announced by Bord Fáilte and the grave situation this creates for the tourist industry and for the country as a whole, he will take emergency action to try to prevent any further deterioration in the position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Bookings.
4.
The 20 per cent reduction in tourist traffic referred to by the Deputy relates only to June traffic from North America as compared with the same month a year ago.
I am informed by Bord Fáilte that, while at the present time the overall picture for the year shows a situation in which there is a decline in some of our main markets for the months of June, the picture for the first six months of the year shows a nett increase of 4.8 per cent in tourist numbers from all markets except Northern Ireland, for which it is not possible to make an estimate at this stage.
I had a very detailed discussion yesterday with the board of Bord Fáilte and I will be meeting a deputation from the Irish Hotels Federation tomorrow. I am keeping the situation under constant review.
In the light of recent figures that have been published and in view of the survey report that has been published by the Irish Hotels' Federation, can the Minister offer any explanation to the House for his extraordinary and misleading statement here on the 16th June when he vigorously denied that there was any reduction in tourist traffic, when he alleged that a radio announcement of that morning was erroneous and when he charged the leader of this party with being mischievous and irresponsible?
The question relates to emergency action. Deputy O'Donnell might relate his remarks to the question.
I take it that the Deputy is concerned about Irish tourism?
More so than the Minister.
As the Minister admitted on the 16th June, I am concerned with Irish tourism.
The Deputy is well aware of the facts in relation to tourism. He knows that it is important to tourism, as it is to any other business, to maintain confidence.
I am concerned because the Minister is not now prepared to give any explanation as to why he made the statement to which I have referred on the 16th June.
Yesterday, I met the board of Bord Fáilte in my Department and spent three and a half hours with them. Tomorrow, I will meet a deputation from the Irish Hotels Federation when we will discuss the matter in a rational way with regard to planning and the proper organisation of tourist development not only for the coming year but for the next five years. I will be coming before the House with practical proposals.
If the Minister was listening to the news bulletin this morning he would have heard that tourist income this year will be down by £5 million. If he is talking here about the question of alarming people, surely this statement will be much more widely publicised than anything said in the House?
I am well aware of the problems.
It was not yesterday that the Minister should have been dealing with this matter because all the factors were known six months ago.
Such as?
We cannot have a debate on the question. Question No. 5.
(Interruptions.)
The factors were known as far back as nine months ago.
The Minister has spoken of running the industry as a business but did he not mislead the leader of this party and Deputy O'Donnell by his previous statement here?
The Minister misled the House deliberately.
(Interruptions.)
I have called Question No. 5.
Excuse me, a Cheann Comhairle, did you hear what the Minister for Transport and Power has called me?
I have called Question No. 5.
On a point of order, Sir, did you hear what the Minister called me? I want the Minister to withdraw what he has said.
I do not know what the Minister said.
He called me a thug but he is the greatest thug in the House.