asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he will consider the introduction of petrol vouchers for tourists to be distributed at the points of entry to the country and through the Bord Fáilte offices throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The question of a petrol voucher scheme for tourists has been examined from time to time.

There is no evidence which would indicate that a petrol voucher scheme would, in itself, generate any significant extra tourism revenue, while the costs to the State in terms of revenue foregone would be considerable.

We are facing a very poor tourist season and in these circumstances would the Minister not be prepared to reconsider the decision in respect of the introduction of petrol vouchers?

There is no possibility of assuring the Deputy that the matter would be reconsidered. During a period of time this question has been considered and the recommendations to date are similar to earlier ones. There are a number of grounds for that situation. First, only 40 per cent of tourists use their cars here and the difficulties in implementing a petrol voucher scheme for them would be very considerable. Because of that, and having regard also to the fact that transport costs represent the least part of a tourist's budget — accommodation being the biggest part — it is not considered that the introduction of a petrol voucher scheme would create any major or even any minimum growth in Irish tourism.

Will the Minister indicate the average price differential between the price of petrol here and on the Continent? What does he propose to do to attract tourists by way of reducing that differential?

In the opinion of my Department it would not be conducive to attracting tourists to Ireland as an investigation showed that a tourist travelling 700 miles in Ireland would save only £18 on petrol as against travelling the same distance in Britain or Northern Ireland.

That is not the answer to my question. I take it that the Minister does not have the information available. Does he accept that the price of petrol is detrimental to encouraging motoring tourists here? Has he a scheme which would relieve the situation and so improve the tourist season which is now commencing?

The price of petrol is determined by factors outside the control of my Department. The Department would not consider that the introduction of petrol vouchers would be conducive to increasing the number of tourists who will come to Ireland.

Is the Minister saying there will not be fewer tourists in Kerry this year as a result of the price of petrol?

The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.