asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will ascertain (a) whether Bord Fáilte Éireann, which was established for the purpose of promoting the Irish tourist industry, takes account of the conditions of employment of the administrative staff of the hotels in sanctioning the charges of such hotels; (b) whether the board has investigated alleged abuses of the trainee system in hotels; and (c) whether the board intends to set up a wages board, similar to the Agricultural Wages Board, to determine the wages and conditions of employment of administrative hotel staffs in grade A hotels.

Bord Fáilte has no functions in regard to the matters referred to.

In view of the fact that Bord Fáilte are responsible for the control of the charges made by hotels, surely they have power to see that hotel staffs are properly paid?

Bord Fáilte do not control the charges made by hotels. They make hotels adhere to the charges they announce and that is all.