Vol. 436 No. 8
5 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if his Department has analysed the various recommendations in the recent report by Fitzpatrick Associates for the European Parliament, especially the main recommendation that the EC should adopt a new approach to the role of tourism within the EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
9 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he will take on board the recommendation by Fitzpatrick Associates in their recent report for the EC, that advice centres for tourism should be established to offer back-up services to the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
13 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if his Department has analysed the various recommendations in the recent report by Fitzpatrick Associates for the European Parliament, especially the main recommendation that the EC should adopt a new approach to the role of tourism within the EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
42 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if his Department has analysed the various recommendations in the recent report by Fitzpatrick Associates for the European Parliament, especially the main recommendation that the EC should adopt a new approach to the role of tourism within the EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
43 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if his Department has analysed the various recommendations in the recent report by Fitzpatrick Associates for the European Parliament, especially the main recommendation that the EC should adopt a new approach to the role of tourism within the EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
48 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if his Department has analysed the various recomendations in the recent report by Fitzpatrick Associates for the European Parliament, especially the main recommendation that the EC should adopt a new approach to the role of tourism within the EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 9, 13, 42, 43 and 48 together.
The report referred to by the Deputies is intended as a basis for discussion by members of the European Parliament. While the report is available on request from the European Parliament's Office in Dublin it was not submitted to me formally, nor are its recommendations the subject of discussions in any Community fora in which my Department is represented.
Broadly speaking, Ireland supports the strengthening and integration of the tourism services in the EU Commission, as recommended by the consultants, with the development of a new tourism action programme. However, any detailed proposals that may emerge would have to be examined carefully from the point of view of the implications such changes might have for the operation of the Structural Funds in the tourism area.
The recommendation for the establishment of advice centres for tourism appear to be consistent with the activities already undertaken by Bord Fáilte, the restructured RTOs, CERT and the newly formed county enterprise partnership boards. In the circumstances, in any Community discussions in this area, I would be most anxious to avoid duplication between EU and national efforts in this regard.
This is an extensive report which contains many important recommendations. As the EU has suffered a decline in its share of global tourism in recent years will the Minister agree there is a need for a more integrated tourism policy in the Community? Does he also agree with the recommendation in the report that there should be a tourist policy division within the EU? The recommendation does not go so far as to say there should be a special tourism Commissioner but that might be considered having regard to the importance of tourism for the Community and that 10 per cent of employment in the Community is tourism based.
The views expressed in the report are those of its authors, not of the European Parliament. The report has been submitted to the European Parliament and will be debated there. I accept it is interesting, but its detailed examination at present would not benefit Ireland. Since becoming Minister for Tourism and Trade, I have found I could fill half of this Chamber with tourism reports commissioned by Government Departments, agencies under the responsibility of various Ministers and private reports prepared for various organisations. The tourism sector has been reported on to a greater extent than many others. However, action needs to be taken in regard to tourism.
Interesting issues are raised in the report. It makes the case that Europe's share of world tourism declined from 62 per cent in 1970 to 53 per cent in 1991 and that most of the business was lost to the Asia-Pacific area. Ireland's share of EU tourism grew from 1.3 per cent in 1980 to 1.5 per cent in 1991. Interesting matters raised in the report have been commented on already in various Irish reports. I will await with interest the views of the European Parliament on the report and it will probably surface in other fora of the European Union at a future date. I hope our views will be taken on board at that time.
Does the Minister agree with the observation in the report that the current CERT programme is inadequate to meet the training needs of our tourism industry and are there any plans to improve it?
I refer the Deputy to the tourism aspect of the National Development Plan which provides for doubling of the allocation for training in the next operational programme. The benefits will be seen in time to come.
I am rather surprised the Minister is dismissive of this report. Is it not important for his Department to have a clear policy on tourism in a European context as opposed to a national context? If so, the Minister should be looking quite closely at this report. Earlier he explained how he came to a decision as regards a major promotional drive in America, but it seems he depended more on his instinct for gambling than on any intellectual exercise in policy making. Surely the question of tourism development in a European context must be considered by this national body.
This report was compiled by a group of consultants for the European Parliament and it has yet to be discussed in that Parliament and taken on board by the Commission. Naturally my Department takes account of various reports that are produced. I do not wish to downgrade this report nor to elevate it to a very high status. The report consists of the views of the consultants, Fitzpatrick Associates, on tourism in the European context. Some of the ideas in the report have been incorporated in the development of Ireland's tourism policy and I will be taking on board others. I am not being dismissive of the report but regard it as an important contribution to tourism, particularly in a European context.
Has the Minister a tourism policy in the European context or does he simply look on the report as a resource that he may or may not apply to national policy? They are separate issues.
I regard this report as a tome which is of use in developing Irish tourism policy.
