Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 3 May 1990

Vol. 398 No. 3

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Bed and Breakfast Operators.

Tomás MacGiolla

Ceist:

13 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if his attention has been drawn to the alarm being expressed in the tourism industry at the ability of any person to erect bed and breakfast signs and run such a business without any obligation to register with the tourists boards; if he will introduce legislation to prevent the operation of unauthorised bed and breakfast operators as they can cause severe damage to our tourist industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Mr. S. Brennan

I am aware of concerns expressed by some tourism industry bodies about unapproved bed and breakfast establishments. Bord Fáilte, the body with responsibility for regulating standards in tourist accommodation, continue to actively promote and encourage bed and breakfast operators to participate in their approval system. There is no evidence to suggest that a mandatory as opposed to a voluntary approval system is currently warranted.

Mr. Byrne

I would suggest to the Minister that certain tourist boards are quite disturbed, particularly in areas where there is a high presence of tourists, at the fact that tremendous damage can be done to the industry by virtue of these fly-by-night operators. They allege that the first image and impression of the country is gained from the experience in bed and breakfast houses. Could the Minister make some incentives available to encourage people to take on registration with Bord Fáilte?

Mr. S. Brennan

The number of approved such premises is just over 2,500. I would estimate that the number of unapproved operators could be up to 4,000 at the height of the season. The reason I favour voluntary as opposed to mandatory registration is that I am simply not interested in organising an army of public officials on a year in year out basis to inspect and police all these operators.

Mr. Byrne

Would the Minister not agree that when tourists are not happy with the service provided by an unregistered bed and breakfast operator, Bord Fáilte are not interested in their complaint and will not follow it through? That leaves a very nasty taste in the mouth of the tourist who feels he has been stung. Finally, would the Minister not agree that these 4,000 operators are providing unfair competition for those who are genuinely interested in tourism and its development and the least he should afford them is some sort of recognition over the unregistered operators?

Mr. S. Brennan

The Deputy should be aware that, in terms of complaints to Bord Fáilte about unapproved as opposed to approved operators, there is no clear pattern. Certainly there is not a preponderance of complaints about the unapproved operators. It is not right to suggest that the complaints are about the unapproved operators. Being unapproved does not mean being in the black market. Some of these people choose not to register. It is for the other agencies like the Revenue Commissioners, the fire authorities and the local authorities in regard to sign-posting to make sure that everybody meets their obligations. There are as many complaints about approved operators as there are about unapproved operators. Bord Fáilte investigate all the complaints made to them.