Tony Killeen
Question:9 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the current position in relation to the Gulliver system; if a new trading partner has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6076/97]
Other Questions. - Gulliver System.
In April 1996 Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, which are 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 30 January last, the work of the steering group established to oversee the securing of new partnership arrangements for Gulliver had progressed and discussions with one private sector company were ongoing. These discussions have since concluded and a proposal for a commercial partnership arrangement is now under consideration with a view to a final decision being made as soon as possible.
Has there been an attempt to make the Gulliver system more responsive to the needs of the industry? I am sure the Minister will be aware that many people involved in providing bed and breakfast and other accommodation have reservations about it and expressed dissatisfaction and disaffection about how it operates. The Minister is aware the cost of pre-booking and the voucher system created considerable difficulties. Has an attempt been made to address those concerns in the context of the commercial partnership?
Deputy Killeen is aware that the Gulliver system comprises an expansive tourism database which will cater for a wide range of services including accommodation, places to visit, entertainment, activities, events and other similar information. The membership of Gulliver was optional for most categories of accommodation registered with BFE until 1994. The proportion of Bord Fáilte registered service providers in the Irish homes category which includes bed and breakfast accommodation who were members of Gulliver fell from 24 per cent in 1992 to 21 per cent in 1993. However, following discussions between BFE and the organisations representing the service providers, it was agreed to provide Gulliver membership automatically to registered service providers in the Irish homes category and an increase in the registration fee was agreed to include Gulliver membership. As a result, participation in Gulliver increased from 21 per cent in 1993 to 100 per cent in 1994. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board is a joint owner of the system and membership of it is voluntary in Northern Ireland. Following finalisation of some matters I hope the system will operate as it was originally intended to. It will be broad and capable of dealing with all that will be required of it.
The Minister will be aware that people involved in the trade are interested in how this matter is proceeding. He outlined the position that pertained heretofore. Is there likely to be a substantial increase in the levy that will have to be paid by the people in the trade who will be subscribers to the Gulliver system once this new commercial entity has been created with private sector involvement?
I am not in a position to give the Deputy an accurate answer on that. The system is partly owned by NITB. We are awaiting the conclusion of some matters and I hope the system will then become operational, as it was intended. I cannot comment at this stage on whether there will be an increase in fees, but I hope membership will be as high as possible because it will be a good system.
Will the Minister bear in mind my concerns?
I will.