My Department plays the lead role in co-ordinating State expenditure on tourism. I have indicated in response to previous similar Dáil questions, that the primary vehicle for grant-aiding tourism currently is the Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999. A co-ordinating committee, chaired by my Department, meets on a regular basis to ensure a coherent approach to the administration of the programme. The committee is composed of representatives of all agencies involved in implementing and administering the programme, including the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, the Department of Education, the Department of the Marine, the Department of Tourism and Trade, Bord Fáilte, the Central Fisheries Board, CERT, the Office of Public Works and Shannon Development.
There is also a national monitoring committee for the Operational Programme, again chaired by my Department, comprised of representatives from the European Commission, the European Investment Bank, relevant Government Departments, the tourism agencies, tourism industry, farming and trade union interests. This committee has general responsibility for ensuring smooth implementation in pursuit of programme objectives.
In addition, my Department, and as appropriate Bord Fáilte and Shannon Development, are represented at monitoring committee level for other Operational Programmes contributing to the development of the tourism industry, for example, INTERREG — Northern Ireland and Maritime, the special programme for peace and reconciliation, and the International Fund for Ireland. They are also represented on the appropriate regional structures for monitoring the implementation of the community support framework as a whole.
Co-ordination of grant-aid for the tourism sector is afforded a high priority and I am satisfied that the existence of these co-ordinating mechanisms will ensure that priority is maintained and will go a long way towards eliminating the potential for overlap or duplication. My Department will continue to monitor the situation.