asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism when he proposes to announce the details of the promised Government policy on the development of the tourist industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourist Industry Development.
11.
I would draw the Deputy's attention to the Government's National Economic Plan, Building On Reality 1985-1987. As indicated in that document, clear objectives have been established for the development of tourism.
These objectives are set out in the most recently published annual report of Bord Fáilte for 1983, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
The plan clearly identifies the areas which will be accorded priority in the implementation of tourism policies to meet these objectives. The erosion of the tourism industry's cost competitiveness is a major concern. This is being tackled by economic policies designed to reduce inflation which should play a major role in restoring competitiveness.
Steps are being taken to improve the cost effectiveness of institutional arrangements at regional level. In particular, a rationalisation programme for the regional tourism organisations is being implemented.
The need to concentrate attention on the question of access transport including the standards of facilities at our air and seaports is recognised. A review of port facilities has been recently completed and my Department are pursuing the question of improvements with the Department of Communications and the Office of Public Works.
An internal review carried out by my Department established that expenditure on promotion has a strong correlation with export tourism revenue. As a consequence, an increasing percentage of the financial support made available to the industry through Bord Fáilte is being channelled into the promotional area and the board has been asked to concentrate its efforts in priority markets. In this regard the Deputy will recall that in the budget of 1984 an additional £0.3 million was allocated for promotional expenditure in North America. I am particularly pleased to be able to inform the House that there has been a substantial increase of some 16 per cent in the number of North American visitors this year and that the figures for both UK and Continental European visitors will also reflect positive growth.
The tourism industry operates in an environment of continuous change. While our national objective to optimise the economic and social benefits arising from tourism remains constant, the more detailed policies aimed at achieving this objective are reviewed on a regular basis and revised as necessary to secure the optimum return from the necessarily limited resources available at any particular time.
The kindest thing I can say about that is that it is a load of waffle. If we are to rely on what appeared in the national plan, known as Building on Reality, as being the basis for a tourist policy, it is very skimpy.
That is a statement.
Would the Minister of State agree that the only three items specifically referred to in the plan was the question of licensing restaurants, late opening until 1 a.m., which nobody wants, and a reduction of 8p on the half one of whiskey? Does he regard that as an adequate response to one of the largest export promotional agencies and money makers that we have?
I do not accept the Deputy's assessment of what was in the national plan regarding tourism.
Tell us what was in it. I should like to hear it.
I have already spelt it out.
Would the Minister of State enlighten the House by giving me the figures? He has preached a lot about tourism. What is the estimated total income from tourism for 1984? Will the Minister of State give me the figure for the total promotional money used in 1982 and 1983? We will then see how much of an effort has been made by this Government in the area of tourism.
That is a different question.
As we have only reached the three-quarters stage of the 1984 tourist season, it would be inappropriate to give the total tourist earnings.
How can Michael McNulty give it?
He can give it for nine months.
Will the Minister of State tell us what it is for nine months?
It is approximately £900 million.
How much was given by way of promotional money to get that?
Approximately £24 million.
What is the estimate for next year?
When the estimates are announced——
How much was spent last year?
——we will advise the Deputy.
Less money was spent last year than this year. That is the Coalition's commitment to tourism.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.