asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the latest information available to his Department on (a) the number of tourists and (b) tourist revenue in 1988 so far; the way in which this compares with 1987; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tourism Statistics.
2.
Data on tourist numbers are available for the first nine months of 1988. In this period, Central Statistics Office estimates show overseas visitor numbers at 1.897 million, an increase of 228,000 or 13.7 per cent on the corresponding period in 1987. Bord Fáilte market estimates, which include traffic coming via Northern Ireland, show an increase of about 13 per cent.
In so far as tourism revenue is concerned, the latest information available from the CSO relates to the first six months of the year. In this period, out-of-State tourism revenue, including carrier receipts, is estimated at £296 million, an increase of £28 million or 10.4 per cent on the corresponding period last year.
Would the Minister agree that the figure given for revenue accruing from foreign tourists is very much below what was estimated in the Programme for National Recovery would he also agree that because of the intransigence some move must be made on both sides to end the rod licence dispute which is having an effect on the tourism industry?
Will the Minister comment on the fact that the target given in the Programme for National Recovery for jobs in the tourism area is 25,000 jobs but he recently gave a figure of 12,000 jobs and the central review committee on the Programme for National Recovery said that it would be a total of 5,000 jobs?
First, with regard to revenue, as I have indicated revenue has increased by 10.4 per cent. With regard to job targets the Deputy rightly pointed out that the Programme for National Recovery outlined a 25,000 job objective. We are well on the way to achieving that objective because that 25,000 job objective was in the context of the five-year programme. We, and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, are confident that we will achieve our objective. The third point the Deputy made was in relation to the road licence dispute. The House knows that I have been very anxious that this dispute should be resolved and I am confident that before the angling season of 1989 starts in earnest this problem will be resolved. As the House knows this is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for the Marine, and he is making every effort to resolve that dispute.
Is the Minister aware that his colleague, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who deputised for him last Friday indicated that both directly and indirectly 12,000 new jobs had been created in tourism and when challenged on this claim he stood over it. Can the Minister explain how that statement could have been made if he accepts the figure in the review committee's report which was published during the week that only 5,000 jobs have been created so far.
I will not accept any figure other than the figure given by the Minister for Agriculture and Food when speaking on my behalf in the Estimate's debate. I want to put it on the record of the House that that is the factual situation.
Is the Minister saying that 12,000 jobs have been created so far this year in tourism?
Not during this year but during the two years since our campaign began.
The Minister indicated this year.
The Minister did not. The Minister said that in the context of a five-year period 25,000 jobs were listed and that is precisely what we are on target for.
Question No. 3.
The Minister indicated that 25,000 jobs——
Please, Deputy McCartan, let us have no interruptions.