asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has noted the findings of the National Prices Commission that the cost of eating in hotels in this country has been rising at a faster rate than the consumer price index; and the action he proposes to take in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hotel Eating Costs.
9.
The findings of the National Prices Commission in relation to hotel charges were conveyed to me in their reports for March and April 1975.
As stated in the April report the comments of Bord Fáilte and the Irish Hotels Federation on these findings have been requested. When these have been received they will be considered by the National Prices Commission, who will, I presume, make a recommendation to me.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree, in view of the serious effects of this on the tourist industry, that those findings should be asked for very urgently and the whole matter investigated? It is a very serious matter if the cost of eating in hotels has been rising at a faster rate than the consumer price index.
I would agree that this is a matter of considerable urgency. The Deputy will be aware that the bodies whose observations have been requested—the Irish Hotels Federation and Bord Fáilte—are bodies who would naturally be very concerned about this, and I am sure they will supply their observations as quickly as possible.
When does the Parliamentary Secretary expect to have them?
This is a matter for the two bodies concerned rather than for me. I would not attempt to make a prediction but I am sure they will provide their observations as quickly as possible.