John Browne
Ceist:16 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if his attention has been drawn to the dissatisfaction in the tourism industry regarding the European report on tourism.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Report on Tourism.
I understand the Deputy is referring to the report entitled 1992 and the Tourism Sector prepared for the European Bureau of the Department of the Taoiseach in March 1990. I am not aware of any dissatisfaction being expressed by the tourism industry regarding the report. However, if the Deputy is aware of any specific dissatisfaction concerning the report he might let me know and I will be glad to consider the matter.
Is the Minister aware that in the report to which he has referred, the following quotation appears——
I am sorry, Deputy, but quotations at Question Time are not in order.
The following information appears: countries such as France and Denmark——
The Deputy may not circumvent the ruling of the Chair in this matter.
Is the Minister aware that the report refers to the fact that countries such as France and Denmark will have an advantage over Ireland because of car rental VAT arrangements, and that this has caused a lot of dissatisfaction in the tourist industry, and specifically the car rental industry?
I am aware of that. Car rental rates in Ireland are too high and I am examining the options open to me to reduce them.
Is the Minister aware that the same report refers to the fact that because of high taxes in Ireland and the importance of EC air and sea traffic to Irish tourism, the changes being brought about will have a greater impact on Ireland than on other EC member states? For example, the withdrawal of duty free facilities would result in a significant loss of revenue to Aer Rianta and to ferry companies and would have a greater impact on airlines here than on other European airlines.
I am aware of those items in that report. In regard to duty free, I think I made my views quite clear in reply to the last question.
If the Minister is aware of those matters, how can he tell the House he is not aware of the dissatisfaction in the tourism industry in relation to them?
I referred to the report in question, and I am aware of those matters which are mentioned in every tourism report published under many Governments.
No. 18, Deputy Gerry Reynolds's question.
Those matters are specifically mentioned here, and there is dissatisfaction in the industry.