asked the Minister for Transport the cost to the State so far this year of bringing home Irish holidaymakers stranded in foreign countries because of travel agency difficulties.

No expense was incurred directly by the State in repatriating Irish tourists stranded abroad this year. The cost to Aer Lingus, whose co-operation I sought to bring home Irish holidaymakers from Miami last August, amounted to almost £40,000 which the airline intends to recoup from the travel agent in question.