James Leonard
Question:21 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the amount of his Department's allocation and Bord Fáilte's allocation to each of the regional tourism organisations; and the purpose of this funding. [10782/95]
Written Answers. - Tourism Policy.
Hugh Byrne
Question:28 Mr. H. Byrne asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the formal relationship between his Department, Bord Fáilte and the regional tourism organisations. [10783/95]
Seamus Brennan
Question:35 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the range of interests of the regional tourism organisations which have received Exchequer funding directly and indirectly. [10778/95]
Chris Flood
Question:52 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to change the State organisations elements of the Tourist Traffic Act, 1952, in his forthcoming Tourist Traffic Bill; and if not, the reason therefor in view of the restructuring of Bord Fáilte and the ambiguous status of the regional tourism organisations. [10770/95]
David Andrews
Question:191 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the formal relationship, if any, that exists between his Department, Bord Fáilte and the regional tourism organisations. [11026/95]
David Andrews
Question:192 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the amount of his Department's allocation and Bord Fáilte's allocation which is given to each of the regional tourism organisations; and the purpose to which this funding is allocated. [11027/95]
David Andrews
Question:196 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the full range of interests of regional tourism organisations that have received direct and indirect Exchequer funding. [11031/95]
Tony Killeen
Question:202 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to change the State organisations elements of the Tourist Traffic Act, 1952, in his forthcoming Tourist Traffic Bill; if not, the reason therefor considering the restructuring of Bord Fáilte and the ambiguous status of the regional tourism organisations. [11038/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 28, 35, 52, 191, 192, 196 and 202 together.
As the House will be already aware, the role of my Department is to determine tourism policy, to set targets for the industry and the State agencies under my aegis, to monitor and review results, to oversee the tourist traffic legislation and to champion the tourism industry at Government level.
On the other hand, the role of Bord Fáilte, as defined in the recent Arthur D. Little consultancy review, is to assist in the implementation of Government policy by marketing and promoting Ireland abroad as a tourist destination, helping the less mature elements of the Irish tourism industry to develop and provide marketing information to Government and industry decision makers. The Tourist Traffic Bill, 1995, which was published at the beginning of June, is designed to enable Bord Fáilte Éireann to delegate to a contractor the majority of its accommodation inspection and associated functions and powers under the Tourist Traffic Acts, 1939 to 1987. The draft Bill does not provide for any change in the existing status of the regional tourism organisations.
The regional tourism organisations were established by Bord Fáilte in 1963 under section 6 of the Tourist Traffic Act, 1952. They are structured as private companies registered under the Companies Acts, limited by guarantee with Memorandum and Article of Association which contain,inter alia, stipulations relating to their management, administration and general business affairs. The Memorandum of Association for each organisation specifies that it shall operate in accordance with the policies and directions of Bord Fáilte.
The core objectives of the regional tourism organisations are: to encourage and promote the development of tourist traffic; to achieve the regional targets for tourism growth in line with national objectives for increased visitor numbers, foreign revenue and employment; to organise the tourism industry in the regions in order to co-ordinate and improve marketing and development activity, and to carry out activities devolved by Bord Fáilte in the area of visitor services, product development and marketing. The 1995 visitor servicing activities of the organisations will include the operation of 77 tourist information offices which are expected to deal with over 2.6 million personal callers and in excess of one million phone and postal inquiries.
The regional tourism organisations derive their income from a variety of sources namely Bord Fáilte, local authorities, membership subscriptions and commercial revenue generating activities which includes the sale of tourist literature. Their forecasted operational funding for 1995 is £5.4 million which includes a provision by Bord Fáilte from its grant-in-aid of £1.7 million. In addition to the normal Bord Fáilte subvention a further £50,000 has been allocated, on a once-off basis, to the county tourism committees which will be funded jointly by Bord Fáilte and from Subhead B3 of my Department's Vote on the understanding that an equivalent sum will be matched by the trade. The relevant funds will be disbursed through Bord Fáilte and will enable the committees, which were established following the reform of the RTO corporate structures in 1994 to undertake local marketing and promotional activities which are directed at festivals and other events, visitor attractions and special interest activities.