John Ellis
Question:76 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the position regarding the Gulliver computerised information and reservation system; and the plans, if any, he has for the system. [10739/95]
Written Answers. - Gulliver Computerisation System.
David Andrews
Question:162 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the present position regarding the Gulliver computerised information and reservation system; and the plans, if any, he has for the system. [10869/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 162 together.
I agree with the conclusions of the consultants in relation to the Gulliver information and reservation system as set out in the Arthur D. Little review of Bord Fáilte. While the concept behind the system was a good one, in its present form, it has not achieved sufficient acceptance or usage. Moreover, its operation is not a core function of Bord Fáilte.
Under the direction of the Bord Fáilte Review Implementation Steering Committee, the Gulliver system has been fundamentally reassessed to see if it can be satisfactorily reconfigured. Ideally, Bord Fáilte's role should be as information provider and stimulator of systems such as Gulliver and not to continue to support and manage such systems once in operation. At present, an open-ended consultation process with potential partners, investors and contractors is being undertaken to identify all possibilities for a reconfiguration of the system. As the Gulliver system is operated jointly by BFE with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, there will, of course, be continued consultation throughout the process with our Northern Ireland counterparts and any final decisions in the matter will be taken jointly.