asked the Taoiseach the estimated number who took holidays abroad in 1987 to date; the figures for the main countries of destination; and the average amount spent by each such holidaymaker.

3.

asked the Taoiseach the numbers of passengers travelling to this country in each of the last three years; and the up-to-date figures for 1987 by (a) sea and (b) air.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together and to circulate three tables giving the latest available information.

Table 1

Estimated numbers of Irish visitors travelling overseas classified by route of travel.

Table 2

Estimated numbers and average expenditure (including international fares) of Irish visitors overseas classified by route of travel.

Table 3

Number of Passengers entering the State by Sea or Air.

* Provisional.

†Latest information available.

Notes

(1) The numbers of Irish visitors travelling overseas cover all visits by Irish residents irrespective of the reason for journey.

(2) Analysis of Irish visitors travelling overseas is only available by route travelled and not by country of destination.

(3) The phrase "holidays abroad" has been interpreted in the sense of "overseas" i.e., excluding visits to Northern Ireland. Whilst expenditure estimates are available for the Northern Ireland flow, data for numbers crossing the Border by car and non-scheduled bus are not available so that it is not possible to answer the question in respect of Northern Ireland traffic.

(4) The average expenditure data include international fare payments to both Irish and foreign registered transport companies.

(5) The data relating to average expenditures by Irish visitors abroad for the third quarter of 1987 will be available shortly. However, data for the year 1987 will not be available until mid to late March 1988.

(6) The data are based on the estimated total expenditure estimates divided by numbers of Irish visitors overseas. These data are derived from the sample passenger card inquiry and returns from the relevant international carriers.