asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his attention has been drawn to the report commissioned by Bord Fáilte on its marketing operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
15.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourism Development Report.
14.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether his attention has been drawn to the recent report on tourism; whether any consultation with Bord Fáilte is planned to consider the proposed reorientation in marketing; and whether he will comment on the outlook for tourism in the coming season.
16.
Mr. O'Donnell
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his attention has been drawn to a report on Bord Fáilte by Industrial Market Research Ltd.; if so, if he will make a statement on the implications of this report for the Irish tourist industry; and what action, if any, he proposes to take to implement the findings of this report.
17.
Mr. O'Donnell
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will make copies of the report of Industrial Market Research Ltd. on Bord Fáilte available to Members of Dáil Éireann; and, if not, why.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 14, 15, 16 and 17 together.
I am informed by Bord Fáilte that they commissioned from a firm of marketing consultants a report on the development of a future marketing strategy. The report has now been received by the board who will use it to guide them in settling their marketing policies in conjunction with the tourist industry.
Bord Fáilte have also informed me that the comments which have appeared in the Press about this report are incomplete and in some respects misleading.
On a point of order, has the Minister the right to continue replying to the next question while Deputies are awaiting replies to supplementaries on previous questions?
I am in the hands of the Chair.
Mr. O'Donnell
The Minister has no wish to answer any questions. He is merely bluffing his way here.
He does not care so long as he gets his salary.
The Chair has allowed four or five supplementaries on Deputy O'Donnell's questions and has no intention of allowing any more.
Mr. O'Donnell
On a point of order——
Would the Deputy have some order and resume his seat?
The Minister for Transport and Power has already come under the unfavourable notice of the Taoiseach and I do not think he should continue like this.
(Cavan): Surely if a Minister decides to answer four or five questions together, it is not unreasonable that the Deputy who put down the questions be given an opportunity of asking at least one supplementary on each of them?
That is a matter for the Chair. Deputy O'Donnell was allowed to ask four supplementaries.
Mr. O'Donnell
On a point of clarification and with all due respect, I asked one supplementary on those four questions.
Question No. 18.
We did not hear the replies to questions Nos. 14, 15, 16 and 17.
I think that in fairness to the Deputy, I should start again.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 14, 15, 16 and 17 together.
I am informed by Bord Fáilte that they commissioned from a firm of marketing consultants a report on the development of a future marketing strategy. The report has now been received by the board who will use it to guide them in settling their marketing policies in conjunction with the tourist industry.
Bord Fáilte have also informed me that the comments which have appeared in the Press about this report are incomplete and in some respects misleading.
The report on marketing is one of a number of reports which the board commissioned on various aspects of tourism. Other studies deal with the board's budgetary and planning system and the accommodation needs of the tourist industry up to 1985. These reports will be considered by Bord Fáilte in conjunction with each other so as to ensure an integrated approach to the development of tourism policies and programmes.
Bord Fáilte have informed me that arising from the report they are arranging for consultation with various sectors of the industry, particularly the National Tourism Council and the Irish Hotels Federation. It will then be a matter for the board to formulate proposals about future policy and to make such recommendations to me as they consider appropriate.
This report was commissioned by Bord Fáilte for their internal use only and the question of circulating it to Deputies does not, therefore, arise.
As to the outlook for tourism in 1971, I would refer the Deputies to my replies to other questions on today's Order Paper.
Mr. O'Donnell
There is no use in beating about the bush at this stage. Is the Minister aware that the marketing division of Bord Fáilte is an absolute shambles? Further, is he aware that in recent years Bord Fáilte have spent a fortune in bringing here foreign travel agents on familiarisation trips, wining them, dining them and entertaining them? They have held receptions abroad for them but despite all this, since Christmas last——
The Deputy is not asking a question. He is making a speech.
Mr. O'Donnell
Is the Minister aware that since Christmas last, despite all the advertising that has been done in the British Sunday papers, not one British travel agent has mentioned Ireland, let alone feature it? Could the Minister offer any explanation for this?
We cannot have a debate at Question Time.
Mr. O'Donnell
The report should be made public.
Is there any intention of making the report public?
The appropriate decisions will be made when they have to be made.
May I ask the Minister whether he is satisfied that liaison between himself and Bord Fáilte is so satisfactory that he can stand over them with confidence and deny that the recent press disclosures are true? Is the Minister, as the Minister responsible, assuring the House that there is no truth in the recent reports?
There is no doubt as to the figures being correct but I agree fully with the views being expressed to the effect that there are problems in regard to our marketing and promotional efforts. This is why the board, internally, are at the moment being reorganised. Further funds were made available for the special promotional campaign which went on during the winter season for this coming season and yet further funds will be made available so as to make Bord Fáilte more market and promotional orientated.
Question No. 18.
Would the Minister say if the figures——
The Deputy may not monopolise Question Time.
I am absolutely satisfied as to the accuracy of the figures.
But the Minister's own statements as to the tourist trade——
The Deputy may not monopolise Question Time.
It is a question of reorganising the board and this matter is under consideration.
It is not a question of the Minister's removal, is it?
The whole world is becoming more competitive than it was from a tourist point of view. Every country is now engaged in State organisation to encourage tourism and we have to take our place in a far more competitive tourist industry.
Mr. O'Donnell
Is it not a fact that the Minister gave categorical assurances to the House that he was having a full-scale review of Bord Fáilte and the whole question of marketing and, as soon as this had taken place——
The Deputy may not make a speech.
Mr. O'Donnell
I will produce the record. The Minister gave categorical assurances to the House.
The Minister has done something more practical: an extra £400,000 has been made available to Bord Fáilte to bring more visitors here during the coming season. If Deputy O'Donnell would control himself——
It appears the Minister clapped them on the back and said they were doing great work for the country.
That is not worthy of the Deputy. I expect better from the Deputy but, at least, the Deputy is coherent.