Tom Moffatt
Question:10 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the way in which he envisages Irish trade benefiting from the recent technology report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9252/97]
Other Questions. - Information Technology Report.
Tony Killeen
Question:27 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the plans, if any, he has to ensure that Irish tourism benefits from the implementation of the recommendations of the recent report of the Steering Committee on Technology and the Information Society. [9250/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 27 together.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the Report of Ireland's Information Society Steering Committee launched by the Minister for Enterprise and Employment on 26 March, a most welcome and timely initiative from my Department's point of view.
The decision by the Government to establish an information society commission to spearhead national strategy will facilitate the exploitation by the tourism and trade sectors of the potential benefits of the information society which include: improved competitiveness as disadvantages of size and remoteness from markets are reduced; better and more efficient market development and access to markets as market reach is extended with better means of marketing products with opportunities for new products and services and improved market information.
It is essential that we set out on this path as, not to do so, would cause us serious loss of competitiveness in the global marketplace in the trade and tourism sectors.
I tabled these questions to be assured that the Minister, wearing his dual hats in tourism and trade, ensures that his Department and those dependent on its activities will be represented on the steering group, particularly if encompassed in an interdepartmental component. I had been particularly concerned in the context of what might have been seen as the negative experience of Gulliver, that the Minister's Department might not be centrally involved, but I take it from him it is.
Yes, it is.