Brendan Kenneally
Question:11 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the progress, if any, which has been made in discussions with potential new partners relating to the Gulliver system. [2506/97]
Other Questions. - Gulliver System.
Tony Killeen
Question:41 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if a third party operator or investor has been identified to take responsibility for adapting and developing the Gulliver system as recommended by a consultant's report (details supplied). [2498/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 41 together.
In April 1996 Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, joint owners of the Gulliver system, announced their intention to seek potential private sector partnerships to assist in the development of the system in the longer term future. As I indicated to the House on 17 October last, the work of the steering group established to oversee the securing of new partnership arrangements for Gulliver has been progressing. In recent months, discussions have been ongoing with a number of potential private sector partners, and in late December, discussions with one particular private sector company were extended, with a view to reaching a commercial partnership agreement. The discussions with this company are ongoing and are expected to conclude shortly.
I take it from what the Minister has said that he is confident these discussions are coming to a successful conclusion. Can I also take it that the Gulliver system will be responsive to the needs of the industry in the manner originally intended, which unfortunately has not been the case over the past year or so?
I expect that this can be finalised in the fairly near future. I hope that consequent on that Gulliver will reach the potential for which it was originally designed. I have no doubt that that will be the case.
Will the new partnership involve Gulliver linking up with an existing system, or is it intended to continue with Gulliver independently of the European system?
When the steering committee conclude their discussions with the company involved, they will have to finalise the position for consideration by Bord Fáilte and NITB. The Gulliver system as an entity will, I expect, certainly be in a much better position to achieve its potential. We all hope that will be the case.