asked the Taoiseach when he proposes to visit Australia in connection with that country's celebration of its bi-centenary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
5.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Taoiseach's Official Visits Abroad.
4.
asked the Taoiseach the reasons for the postponement of his official visit to Australia.
6.
asked the Taoiseach the reason he is not visiting Australia as planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
7.
asked the Taoiseach if he will outline any proposals he may have for official visits abroad, indicating the purposes and dates of such visits; and whether any such proposals will be developed with a view to maximising trading opportunities for Ireland and employment prospects at home.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together. As a visit by me to Australia for St. Patrick's Day was not definitely decided upon at any stage there is no question of its being postponed.
It is my intention, depending on circumstances, to visit Australia later this year but, as with my official visits abroad generally, it is not the practice for security and other reasons to give details too far in advance. The House can be assured that while abroad on official business, each member of the Government avails of every opportunity that presents itself to improve relations, increase our export trade and to promote the image of Ireland in the host country.
Can the Taoiseach give some details to the House of the areas in which he would expect increased trade between Ireland and Australia consequent on the visit of Prime Minister Hawke to Ireland or consequent on the Taoiseach's visit to Australia should he succeed in going there during his tenure of office? What areas of trade does he see developing?
The most immediate area of benefit to us would be Australian investment here but there are other areas in which we could hope to develop mutually beneficial trading relations.
Would the Taoiseach agree that ethnic tourism, as we call it, has formed an integral part of the business of tourism in this country for many years and would he, therefore, think that it would be useful if during his visit, he could arrange for the 400,000 Australians who annually come to Europe on holidays to be facilitated by way of the integral price of their ticket including travel to Ireland? Would he undertake that as one of the areas of real economic benefit that could be explored between Ireland and Australia?
The Deputy is injecting new matter into the question.
I am glad to be able to tell the Deputy that those arrangements are already in place. We have been working on that for some considerable time and it will now be possible for people to fly to European destinations and then come on to this country, as it were, for nothing.
With what airline was the agreement to bring people into Ireland reached?
Arrangements were agreed between British Airways, Aer Lingus and Qantas and I think other arrangements are contemplated.
Would the Taoiseach agree that it is a shame that Aer Lingus solely were not in there first to arrange this transfer?
The Deputy should agree with me that we are all very glad the agreement is now in place and not be having any little carping criticisms. Perhaps there should be a vote of congratulations to the Government for being on the ball.
In order to understand this new phenomenon of forward planning that exists within the Government and to alleviate some of the speculation, can the Taoiseach advise the House as to what was the pressing business he anticipated in March as the reason he gave for cancelling the trip to Australia? What does he anticipate will happen in March, Governmentwise or within this House, to warrant the cancellation of his visit?
The Deputy himself might be part of that problem.
While I agree that the Government are going in the right direction——
Australia.
——would the Taoiseach agree that the real goal to be pursued is that of direct communication between Australia and Ireland in regard to flying directly into this country from Australia and not depend — although it is a step in the right direction — on getting people to come on here from Europe? Is that part of the agenda being discussed at present? Is the Taoiseach pursuing that aim?
I, other Ministers and, in particular, my colleague, the Minister for Tourism and Transport, are very much in touch with the situation and are endeavouring to try to get as wide a range of access air facilities and as cheap air fares as possible to this country from every part of the world. I have to tell the Deputy that we are concentrating more on the mainland of Europe.