asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport whether it is his policy to encourage the development of local tourism co-operatives.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Tourism Co-Operatives.
12.
The Government are anxious to see local tourism and other interests participating in the development of tourism at local level and the regional tourism organisations, who are responsible for development at this level, actively encourage such participation. It is vital, however, where local tourism groups or co-operatives are formed, that such bodies work closely with their regional tourism organisation, with Bord Fáilte, and SFADCo where it applies, to ensure that their strategies do not run counter to national and regional tourism policy. Such co-operation and co-ordination of effort is essential to ensure that Irish tourism, both at local and national level, benefits fully from the activities of all tourism development groups and organisations.
Would the Minister accept that there is an impression abroad that such co-operatives are resented by officialdom in Bord Fáilte and in some of the regional tourism bodies? Does he accept that such tourism co-operatives have enormous possibilities to work hand in hand with official bodies to tap the tourism potential in their own areas? Finally, would the Minister make sure that the approach as enunciated by him here in this House is pursued actively and enthusiastically by official bodies at all levels?
I agree with the Deputy, and I am glad he agrees with me. It is good to get that co-operation here because the co-operation and co-ordination of local bodies and of the co-operative organisations and tourism groups is very welcome. The development of co-operatives in an unco-ordinated and disorganised fashion would be counter-productive to the overall effort and could lead to fragmentation of tourism facilities and services as well as some unnecessary duplication. While I welcome the involvement of local groups and co-operatives, whose operations should be closely linked with the RTOs and Bord Fáilte.
I am not sure that we are totally ad idem— on the surface we are — but the Minister knows well to what I am referring. Does he not accept that local tourism co-operatives spring up from a community spirit? Furthermore does he accept that such bodies should not be totally controlled by officialdom but should be actively encouraged?
Again, there is a tremendous amount of agreement here. I do not want to give the impression that any co-operative or local group would be controlled by the RTO or Bord Fáilte, as the Deputy seems to suggest, but any of these groups would work, co-ordinate and co-operate with the RTOs and Bord Fáilte.
We would settle for that.