The report of the independent Estimates review committee recommended cuts in my Department's Estimate totalling almost €23 million, spread across all three main areas of my Department's remit. In the case of tourism, the recommendation of a cut of €5 million – effectively in tourism marketing funding – was not implemented by my Department due to the Government's commitment to support this most valuable sector of our economy at this difficult time, as reaffirmed by the Government's decision to increase the 2003 budget for tourism marketing to €30.4 million. Furthermore, any consideration of the committee's suggested changes for increased industry contributions to the activities of the marketing and development bodies, and greater cooperation between the various tourism agencies will have to await the outcome of the tourism policy review and the establishment of the new National Tourism Development Authority.