asked the Minister for Transport and Power the outcome of his meeting on 22nd February, 1972, with the various transport interests; and whether a new low fare structure has been devised to assist the "Discover Ireland" and the ethnic campaign.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Industry.
12.
Mr. O'Donnell
On 22nd February last, I met the chairman and chief executives of Bord Fáilte, Aer Lingus, the B & I Company and CIE. We reviewed the general tourism situation and discussed the progress of the various measures in hands to attract additional traffic for the coming season. I am satisfied that the measures being adopted are the best that can be devised in the present circumstances.
On the specific question of fares, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to questions on 22nd February in the course of which I explained that there is already in operation an extensive range of excursion fares, special interest rates, group rates and other forms of incentive fares which effectively reduce travel costs for many visitors. In addition, the transport companies, in co-operation with Bord Fáilte, are combining with coach companies, car-hire firms and hotels, guesthouses and farmhouses to offer a series of very competitive package holidays. These are based on very substantial concessions on published travel and accommodation rates.
Mr. O'Donnell
Can the Minister say whether CIE propose to continue the "Great Train Robbery" fare structure for the remainder of the year, and whether Aer Lingus will increase their cross-channel fares on 1st April?
In the next few days CIE will be announcing a very attractive home holiday package which will include rail rates and hotel rates combined. This is one of the matters which was discussed. In effect, this will mean very cheap rail rates combined in the holiday package from Dublin to the various resort areas.
(Cavan): I take it that it will be less than £50 a week for a hotel, without lunch?
It will be substantially below that. I will give the package to the House when it comes to hand.
Is this home holidays?
Yes.
Deputy O'Donnell also asked about Aer Lingus.
This package will apply both to home holidays and to people from abroad coming here. The Aer Lingus fare is another day's work because of the IATA situation.
Mr. O'Donnell
Does the Minister propose to sanction the application by Aer Lingus to increase their cross-channel fares by 7½ per cent as from 1st April? I have asked this question on a number of occasions. Has the Minister taken any decision on this yet? This is a vitally important factor.
No decision has been taken yet.
Mr. O'Donnell
How does the Minister feel about it?
I will not say how I feel about it. I will take the decision when the time comes.
Mr. O'Donnell
Does the Minister agree that it is a very important matter?
If this is intended to apply to people from across the channel, is it not a foolish policy for Bord Fáilte and CIE to be closing down their offices in Great Britain?
Bord Fáilte have closed no offices in Great Britain. They have increased their staff in Great Britain to deal with the Irish ethnic market.
CIE have closed their offices.
CIE have closed two offices. This is correct. These offices were devoted solely to tour holidays. The tour holiday was primarily a holiday for the ordinary British market and as such is not likely to be very successful this year. Bord Fáilte have substantially increased their staff operating on the ground with the Irish associations and groups in Britain, where we feel people will be sympathetic to Ireland, with a view to attracting here a substantially greater number of visitors from the Irish ethnic market in Britain.
Question No. 13.
They will be organising in another six weeks or two months for the 1973 season. This is the wrong time to close offices.
The Deputy appreciates that the closing of CIE offices relates to tour holiday operations. Bord Fáilte have increased their staff, as I said.
Can the Minister say whether the proposed 7½ per cent increase in air fares has been agreed within IATA and, if so, when?
That is another question. If the Deputy puts down a question on that next week, possibly I will have more information for him.
13.
Mr. O'Donnell
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether, in view of the need to rationalise the roles of the State-sponsored bodies engaged in tourism and to secure their fullest co-operation with the private sector, he will now take steps to establish a national tourism authority; and, if not, why.
Bord Fáilte Éireann are the national tourism organisation, set up by the Oireachtas with the function of encouraging and promoting the development of tourist traffic in and to the State. The board have the central responsibility for the tourist development programme. This entails the co-ordination of the efforts of the many and varied interests, both in the public sector and the private sector, which make up the tourist industry.
There is a number of State-sponsored bodies whose functions and activities fall partly within the sphere of tourism. These include the air companies, the B & I Company, Córas Iompair Éireann and the Shannon Free Airport Development Company. I am satisfied about the role and objectives of these bodies and I do not consider that any significant changes are necessary. Neither do I see the need for the establishment of any additional organisation which in my view would have no useful role.
There are adequate arrangements to ensure optimum co-operation between the various bodies in areas of common interest. I have explained these arrangements in reply to previous Questions on 4th August, 1971, and 11th February. I am satisfied that there is a high level of co-operation throughout the tourist industry, including both public and private sectors, and this is exemplified in the special marketing campaigns now in progress.
Mr. O'Donnell
Is the Minister really aware of how serious the situation is at the moment regarding the State-sponsored bodies? There are five State-sponsored bodies and eight regional tourism companies actively involved in the tourist industry. Is the Minister aware that each of those 13 bodies is accountable to a separate board of directors, and that there is no person with overall responsibility for the control of these organisations, and to ensure that their policies are coordinated? The Minister admitted here last week that he had no control over CIE to prevent them from closing their offices in Britain. Surely there is need for an overall authority to ensure that the State bodies co-ordinate their activities and co-operate with private enterprise, and to ensure that none of them will take unilateral action which might be advantageous to the individual company and which could be detrimental to the entire tourist industry.
I have looked at this matter personally and I have had the heads of these various bodies and the various private interests concerned in with me. I am satisfied that, so far as this year is concerned, there is total co-operation at every level between public and private interests in the tourist industry.
I am calling Question No. 14.
Mr. O'Donnell
May I ask the Minister——
The Deputy has asked at least four supplementaries.
Mr. O'Donnell
I have asked one supplementary.
It was a very long one.
Mr. O'Donnell
Is the Minister aware that not merely did CIE close their offices in Britain, which was a scandalous decision——
Only two.
Mr. O'Donnell
——but also that the general manager of CIE in Britain went on BBC television the other evening and told the people of Britain why they were pulling out. His performance on BBC television has done irreperable damage to Irish tourism in Britain.
To get the record right, the CIE tours office in London is open. The Manchester and Glasgow offices were closed.