Bernard Allen
Question:10 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the allocation of Structural Funds to the private sector for marketing under the National Development Plan, 1994-1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Private Sector Marketing.
The total EC aid allocation in the National Development Plan to the private sector for marketing over the period 1994-99 will be in the region of £40 million. It is estimated that this will lever additional marketing investment of £74 million by the industry itself in matching funds.
Is the Minister satisfied with the achievement of marketing spending that took place in the course of the last national plan? That plan gave a commitment that the Irish share of imports of other EC countries would double from 1.2 per cent to 2.4 per cent but, in contrast, during the period of that plan the Irish share actually diminished. Will the Minister comment on the fact that the previous plan gave a commitment to the effect that small and medium Irish enterprises would radically expand their sales by £2 billion whereas one-third only of that target was achieved? Does he not feel that the programmes he designed for developing successful marketing by Ireland abroad must be questioned?
In case I misled the Deputy, the reply to this question was drafted on the basis of the aid to the tourism sector under the national plan. In fairness, Deputy Bruton referred to the question of marketing the industry under the plan.
The question refers to "private sector for marketing under the National Development Plan" and I see no reference to tourism apart from the reference to the Minister. I understood that the Department of Tourism and Trade covers the two aspects of our activities. In the trade area we appear to have recorded a remarkable failure in our marketing programmes. The Minister needs to consider strategy before he implements an operational programme which may repeat the same mistakes.
The reply to Deputy Allen's question was drafted on the basis that it related to tourism expenditure and I am sorry that is not the case.
I am calling Deputy Deenihan for a brief concluding question, as we have exceeded our time.
What percentage of expenditure by the private sector will qualify for grant aid?
That will be in the new operational programme.
Will it be 50 per cent?
I said it would be in the new operational programme.
After all the Minister is the boss.
The time for questions is exhausted.
On a point of order, since Question Time began eight minutes late perhaps it could continue for a corresponding period.
It is not within my brief to do that. I was not aware it did not start on time.
Deputy Deenihan and I were here, Sir and I can say that Question Time began at 2.38 p.m.
I would like to facilitate the Deputy but he will be aware that I do not have discretion on that. The Order of the House for concluding questions is 3.50 p.m. and we have already exceeded that time.