Obviously the Minister is not aware that more than half the hotels in Ireland lost money last year. I suggest to him that providing 20 per cent of the capital cost of a swimming pool in a small hotel in the west is a load of nonsense when hotels like this are not even in a break-even situation. The Minister of State either should scrap this measure or else build it up into something more useful. Chapters 4 and 8 of his tourism policy document deal with tourism performance and targets for growth. I refer the Minister to page 16 of that document and I ask him if he regards the table in that chapter as being suitable for what should be the third largest export earning industry? I will quote one of the statistics. The document stated that the British market returned £192 million in 1980 and that was reduced in 1984 to £154 million. What does the Minister propose doing in respect of this matter?

The Deputy has directed his attention specifically at the British market. That market is of major importance for us and it has been the foundation of our tourist industry. Since coming into office this Government have taken steps in relation to a reduction in inflation rates and the development of a competitive market so far as tourists are concerned. These factors have been of the utmost importance in the expansion and growth of the British market which had been adversely affected because of our price structures and inflation.

Another factor of major importance is the situation in the North of Ireland. Since 1969 we have had problems due to bombings and attacks on British buses and cars in this part of the country. We hope that the new summit talks in which the two Governments are engaged will have a beneficial effect so far as tourism is concerned and that tourists will be assured of a welcoming holiday here. I look forward to a growth in the British market. We require it, we want it and we are taking the necessary steps so far as inflation and price competitiveness are concerned. I hope that the improved access by sea and air and the improved standards and amenities here will make that growth a real possibility.

That is a load of nonsense. According to the Minister's statistics, in 1969 the figure in constant terms was £221 million from the British market. In 1973 it was £161 million——

That is a separate matter.

In 1980 it was £192 million and now it is £154 million. The truth is we are losing market share in the British market but the Minister is doing nothing about it. I should like to ask him what are his projections for market growth in the tourist industry in the next few years.

That seems to be a separate question.

It is difficult to make any accurate projection in regard to the tourist market over a number of years. We had a record growth in 1985, the greatest ever, and the highest overseas earnings. In spite of what Deputy Flynn said about a drop in the British market, we had the highest revenue from Britain in a number of years despite a drop in the numbers. Our predìction is that we will succeed in having growth from all markets provided we do a number of things. First, we must market and promote everywhere. This means joint marketing and promoting by Bord Fáilte and the different sectors engaged in the industry. Two, we must have adequate access by air and sea to Ireland and we must arrange to have prices as competitive as possible. Three, we must give value for money to the tourists, and good standards. In 1986 two of the most prestigious airlines in America, Pan-Am and Delta, will bring daily flights to Shannon from various parts of the US. It is a major vote of confidence in the growth of the Irish tourist industry when we see two major airlines from the biggest market in the world developing new lines on a daily basis next year.

Obviously, the Minister is not aware of the growth targets outlined in chapter 8 of his own forecast. The forecast is a 3 per cent to 6 per cent growth to the end of the century. The document sets down minimum targets for the tourist industry. It is stated that there will be no further capital investment by the Government in the industry and that the private sector must take up any worthwhile investment in the industry. That means the Minister is reneging——

Would the Deputy ask a question?

Rather than ask the Minister a question which would have him on his feet blathering for the next ten minutes I would prefer if he took the following question.