Vol. 452 No. 6
59 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if all the recommendations that have been made to his Department by approved authorities in the tourism area have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [88278/95]
I understand that the recommendations with which the Deputy is concerned are those contained in the tourism task force report which was published in October 1992. I am glad to say that many of the key areas which the task force identified as requiring action or attention — for example, tourism priority in the allocation of European Union funds, marketing and seasonality — have already been taken account of in the operational programme for tourism, 1994-99, which was launched in September 1994.
As for the residual recommendations, several of these have been or are being, implemented separate from the operational programme. These include the setting up of the Tourism Council, the establishment of product development groups or companies in a number of niche product areas, the refocusing of Bord Fáilte's functions and the establishment of more appropriate institutional structures for Irish tourism at regional and county level.
I am also pleased to say that progress has been made in respect of issues which are the responsibility of other Government Ministers. An obvious example is in the area of taxation, while the subject of improved access transport remains a live issue of consultation as between my Department and the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications.
