Vol. 465 No. 6
40 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to review the role and/or membership of the management boards which adjudicate on projects applying for EU funds under the tourism sub-programme. [10235/96]
The Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99, agreed between the Irish Government and the European Commission in October 1995, included specific provision for two independent product development management boards for the Shannon Development area and the Bord Fáilte area respectively, and a Marketing Management Board to decide on individual applications for EU grant assistance under sub-programmes 2 and 3 of the programme. Each of the boards comprises two agency personnel, three independent business-professional members and one official from my Department. The membership of the boards thus brings broad practical business and professional experience to the decision making process to augment the tourism-related expertise of the tourism agencies and my Department.
I have no plans at this stage to review either the current structure or role of the boards.
