Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 15 Jul 1970

Vol. 248 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord Fáilte Budget.

9.

Mr. Cosgrave

asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he is aware that, in spite of the fact that 1970 may not be a good year for tourism, Bord Fáilte is cutting back on its marketing activities because of budgetary difficulties; if he will state the amount being spent by Bord Fáilte on marketing in the current year bearing in mind that a total of £2.6 million is being voted for the development of accommodation and resorts in Ireland; and whether he proposes to increase the grant-in-aid to Bord Fáilte so that the board may step up the marketing activities this year in view of the adverse factors currently affecting Irish tourism.

10.

Mr. T. O'Donnell

asked the Minister for Transport and Power why Bord Fáilte's promotion budget for the current year in Germany has been cut by 45 per cent.

14.

Mr. T. O'Donnell

asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will outline the details of the new five-year plan for tourism referred to by him on Thursday, 9th July; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mr. B. Lenihan

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 10 and 14 together.

The marketing activities of Bord Fáilte are financed from the grant-in-aid for administration, operational and general expenses of the board. This year the level of funds to be provided for this grant-in-aid is £2.95 million, an increase of £200,000 on 1969-70. The allocation of these funds is a function of Bord Fáilte. I am informed by the board that in the current financial year they propose to spend £1,786,000 on marketing and that, in the case of Germany, there will be a reduction of 6 per cent on the 1969-70 allocation.

I met the board of Bord Fáilte on last Wednesday, 8th July, and asked them to carry out an urgent and full appraisal of their activities in the light of the problems facing the tourist industry with a view to making any changes which appeared necessary to ensure the continued expansion of our tourist income. On last Friday, 10th July, I met a deputation from the Irish Hotels Federation to discuss the planning and proper organisation of tourist development for the coming years. At both meetings we had a constructive exchange of views as a result of which the board and the federation undertook to submit to me as soon as possible reports in relation to the development of tourism not alone for next year but for the next five years.

In the course of these discussions both organisations were agreed that it would be unrealistic at this period of the year to embark on a special marketing campaign for the 1970 season. Bord Fáilte, however, are now making a special effort to encourage Irish people to holiday in their own country this year.

I shall be reviewing the outlook for tourism in the coming years in the light of these reports.

Mr. T. O'Donnell

Would the Minister say whether any additional funds are being allocated now to Bord Fáilte to enable them to carry out the special effort to which he has referred?

Mr. B. Lenihan

We want to know the direction in which we shall allocate any additional funds in the future and it is to this I have directed the attention of Bord Fáilte, to the preparation of an up-to-date realistic appraisal of where we are going in the coming years with a view to allocating funds in the best possible way. I shall be expanding on this matter, as the Taoiseach has said, in the course of the debate on the Tourist Traffic Bill which is currently before the House and the Second Stage of which I hope to take next week.

Mr. T. O'Donnell

Is it not a fact that the total amount of money allocated to Bord Fáilte for the coming year for promotional purposes shows a reduction of £100,000 on the amount which was available last year—£1.8 million last year, £1.7 million this year?

Mr. B. Lenihan

The Deputy misunderstands the position. As far as the Government are concerned, there is an increase of £200,000 on the previous year in the allocation to Bord Fáilte. The allocation of these funds is a matter for Bord Fáilte. This is one of the matters we discussed at our meeting last week — the allocation of funds in the best possible way from the point of view of developing tourism.

Mr. T. O'Donnell

Is it not a fact that the net result is that Bord Fáilte have £100,000 less this year for promotional purposes than they had last year? Due to factors which were there this year was there not a castiron case for giving them an extra subvention?

Mr. B. Lenihan

The Deputy is missing my point. The Government allocation to Bord Fáilte was increased by £200,000. The allocation of increased overall funds made available to Bord Fáilte by the Government is a matter for Bord Fáilte. This is one of the very pertinent questions I discussed with them last week.

Mr. Cosgrave

Is it not a fact that the extra £200,000 has been largely absorbed by rising costs and that it was necessary to meet the increased costs falling to be met by Bord Fáilte?

Mr. B. Lenihan

That is a debatable matter. At any rate the House can be assured that we had a very full and frank appraisal of the whole situation at our meeting last week and at my meeting with the Irish Hotels Federation. I am confident we can evolve a programme for next year and the coming years that will be more realistic than heretofore.

Mr. Murphy

Do I understand from the trend of the Minister's reply that there is a change in the departmental policy relating to the affairs of Bord Fáilte? In view of the Minister's statement that he is getting a full appraisal of their activities——

An Ceann Comhairle

This is a speech.

Mr. Murphy

It is not a speech. It is a question. When the Minister gets the full appraisal of the activities of Bord Fáilte, will he transmit that appraisal to the Members of this House? Is the Minister not aware that we do not know how Bord Fáilte disburses its funds? In relation to this £2.6 million in Deputy Cosgrave's question, how much is for development, how much is for the Taca men in hotel development and how much is to provide soft, cushy jobs and expenses——

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is making a speech on these questions. I am calling Question No. 11.

Mr. Murphy

Are we to get a breakdown because in south-west Cork we are getting nothing from Bord Fáilte?

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy will get an opportunity of discussing these matters. This is not a question. The Deputy is making a speech.

Mr. Murphy

It is a number of questions.

Mr. B. Lenihan

We will have a debate next week.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Cooney wishes to ask a supplementary question.

Mr. Murphy

I want an answer to my question. You will not get away with this, a Cheann Comhairle. You are trying to silence me too often and I am too easy-going with you. I want an answer to my question. That is out of place, Sir. It is your job to ensure that the Minister gets time to answer questions.

Mr. B. Lenihan

If the Deputy asks a question I shall be delighted to answer it.

Mr. Murphy

Answer it then.

Mr. B. Lenihan

I have not been asked a question.

Mr. Murphy

Is the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Transport and Power and drawing £6,000 plus from public funds such a simpleton that he is incapable of understanding plain language?

Mr. B. Lenihan

That is not a question.

Mr. Murphy

This is what we are getting from the Government and this is what is putting you where you are now.

Mr. B. Lenihan

That is still not a question.

Mr. Murphy

The Minister for Transport and Power is in a rather jolly mood.

Mr. Coughlan

He is in a sidestepping mood.

Mr. Murphy

I do not think the occasion demands that kind of mood. Will the Minister for Transport and Power make available to the Members of this House a breakdown of the disbursement of Bord Fáilte's funds for the current year?

Mr. B. Lenihan

It is there in the annual report of Bord Fáilte.

Mr. Murphy

It is not in the annual report. It is a well-known fact that most of the money going to hotelliers——

An Ceann Comhairle

We cannot discuss this question all evening. Will the Deputy allow Questions to continue? Deputy Cooney.

Mr. Murphy

It is not in the annual report and that is a lie for the Minister.

Mr. Cooney

The Minister referred to a meeting with the Hotels Federation. Would he say whether at that meeting any criticism was voiced of Bord Fáilte as to its composition, structure or policy?

Mr. B. Lenihan

There was a very constructive discussion.

An Ceann Comhairle

Question No. 11.

Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick

(Cavan): Do I gather from the Minister's reply to supplementary questions that he is satisfied that there is considerable scope for improvement in the promotional or marketing activities of Bord Fáilte and that he will arrange accordingly?

Mr. B. Lenihan

There is always scope for considerable improvement in every phase of human activity and we are directing our attention at present to this particular form of activity in Ireland.

Mr. T.J. Fitzpatrick

(Cavan): Will the Minister direct his attention to the activities of Bord Fáilte in a specific way and does he agree that in their case there is room for very considerable improvement?

Mr. B. Lenihan

There is room for improvement, of course.

Mr. Coughlan

Will the Minister make available to this House a breakdown of the amount that is disbursed particularly to individual hoteliers and in the development of Bord Fáilte? That is all we ask and this has been kept a State secret, as closely guarded as the gun-running.

Mr. B. Lenihan

This is a very separate matter.

Mr. Coughlan

We cannot find out what any individual hotelier will get and this is what we want to know.

An Ceann Comhairle

Question No. 11.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. Coughlan

I want an answer to my question.

Mr. B. Lenihan

I could not hear Deputy Cooney's question on account of the noise from the Labour benches.

Mr. Cooney

I asked the Minister if at the discussion with the Hotels Federation to which he referred in his reply any criticism was made of Bord Fáilte as to its composition or structure.

Mr. B. Lenihan

Of course there was criticism. In any fruitful exchange of views in a constructive way there is bound to be criticism. Of course there was criticism.

An Ceann Comhairle

Question No. 11.

Mr. T. O'Donnell

From my reading of the Bill it deals purely with tourist accommodation. Does the Minister intend to bring into the House a new Tourist Traffic Bill which will enable the House to have a full and comprehensive discussion on all aspects of tourism?

Mr. B. Lenihan

I cannot hear the Deputy.

Mr. T. O'Donnell

I asked the Minister whether in the light of what the Minister has said in his reply and what the Taoiseach said earlier in reply to Deputy Cooney he could say whether the Tourist Traffic Bill which he proposes to bring into the House will give the House an opportunity to have a full and comprehensive discussion on all aspects of tourism.

Mr. B. Lenihan

Yes, the Bill is fairly framed to have that sort of discussion.

Mr. T. O'Donnell

When does the Minister hope to have this Bill before the House?

Mr. B. Lenihan

Next week, I hope.

Mr. Coogan

Will the tourist season be over then?

11.

Mr. T. O'Donnell

asked the Minister for Transport and Power the amount of Bord Fáilte's promotion budget for Great Britain, North America and Europe for (a) the current year and (b) 1969-70.

Mr. B. Lenihan

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it in the Official Report.

Following is the statement:—

Bord Fáilte Promotion Budget for the countries and years indicated

	1969-70	1970-71
	£	£
1. Britain	438,000	407,000
2. North America	734,000	600,000
3. Europe	332,000	270,000