Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Jan 1996

Vol. 460 No. 4

Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Peace Process and Tourism.

Ivor Callely

Question:

25 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the likely impact the peace process may have on tourism and trade in 1996; the initiatives, if any, that have been considered for development and consolidation of any such impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1242/96]

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. E. Kenny)

The peace process has already given a significant impetus to the Irish tourism performance. While the final figures for 1995 are not yet available for the CSO, Bord Fáilte has estimated that spending in Ireland by overseas visitors increased by some 16 per cent to over £1.3 billion with visitor numbers in the region of 4.2 million. The tourism industry should continue to benefit from the peace dividend in 1996 with the recent visit of President Clinton providing very positive worldwide publicity for Ireland.

The industry-led Overseas Tourism Marketing Initiative (OTMI) will be continued on an all-island basis in 1996 with the active involvement of Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Bord Fáilte will also continue to work closely with the tourism industry in 1996 on the development of the new tourism brand which will have fundamental implications for the positioning and image of Ireland overseas. In addition, the Border regions, which suffered particularly from the effects of violence in Northern Ireland, will continue to receive special attention under the Tourism Measure of the EU-funded Joint Interreg Programme for Northern Ireland and Ireland 1994-1999 and the Tourism Programme of the International Fund for Ireland. Tourism-related projects will also be eligible for assistance under a number of measures in the EU-supported Special Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 1995-1999.

The latest figures available from the CSO are for July 1995 and show that, since the ceasefire, trade between Northern Ireland and the Republic has increased significantly. The total value of trade for that period was £1,227 million compared to £1,090 million for the same period in 1993-1994. This represents a 12.5 per cent increase.

I expect that the volume of trade will continue to increase significantly this year. An Bord Tráchtála estimate that 75 new companies entered the Northern Ireland Market in 1995 and that Northern Ireland is now the fifth biggest market for indigenous exporters.

It is the statutory responsibility of An Bord Tráchtála to initiate specific actions in co-operation with exporters to identify new market opportunities. However, I am aware that, to capitalise on the peace process, ABT have developed many exciting new initiatives, designed to assist companies throughout the island to take advantage of the new opportunities which are emerging on both sides of the Border since the cessation of violence. These initiatives include workshops, conferences and numerous publications aimed at encouraging companies which have neglected the market in the past to explore and develop its potential.