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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Mar 1991

Vol. 405 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Departmental Task Forces.

Michael Bell

Question:

2 Mr. Bell asked the Taoiseach the number and nature of each task force established in his Department since 1987; and the outcome of each such investigation.

Two such task forces were established in my Department: (1) Tourism Task Force, established in November 1987, and (2) Roots, Genealogy and Tourism Task Force, established in May 1988.

I propose to circulate in the Official Report the details of these task forces as requested by the Deputy.

SCHEDULE

Roots, Genealogy and Tourism Task Force, Established in May 1988

The work of the task force is now bearing fruit in the Irish Genealogical Project. This project draws together all those with a legitimate interest in genealogy in Ireland and in particular the work of some 35 local centres operating on an allisland basis across the Thirty-two Counties. In these centres, genealogical records of all kinds will be put on modern computers. On the basis of this comprehensive set of records there will be an international marketing campaign to attract people of Irish descent around the world to come back to Ireland to find out about their families.

Tourism Task Force, Established in November 1987

The objective of the task force was to make recommendations to Government for the expenditure of a special additional allocation of £4 million public, supplemented by £2 million private funding for tourism promotion in the 1988 budget. The task force reported in March 1988 with a programme of special promotional and marketing initiatives including proposed reduction in access fares, with the overall objective of boosting tourism traffic in 1988. Bord Fáilte were asked by Government to implement the measures immediately. The task force initiative did, therefore, play a major part in increasing visitor numbers by over 15 per cent and foreign tourism revenue by 16 per cent in 1988 over 1987 and in the substantial reduction, of up to 28 per cent, in access promotional fares into Ireland in 1988.

To what Minister in the Department will these reports go and who will have responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations?

That question does not really arise. The recommendations of both task forces are already in the course of being implemented fully. The Tourism Task Force which was established in November 1987 has been responsible for bringing about a complete revival and expansion of our tourism industry.

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