Proinsias De Rossa
Question:11 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the proposals, if any, he has to promote greater cross-Border co-operation in the tourism area. [17182/97]
Other Questions. - Cross-Border Tourism.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:38 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation whether he favours co-operation with Northern Ireland in order that tourism can be promoted abroad on an all-Ireland basis; and the proposals, if any, he has in this regard. [17174/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 38 together.
Cross-Border tourism links have been forged over many years through close co-operation between the Department of Economic Development in Belfast and my Department and between the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Bord Fáilte.
These links have already culminated in a number of major joint marketing initiatives such as the Overseas Tourism Marketing Initiative and Tourism Brand Ireland. In addition, Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board have collaborated successfully in a number of other areas and forged close operational alliances in a variety of markets undertaking a series of joint campaigns. They also work together on tourism working groups such as the International Fund for Ireland and the INTERREG programme. The benefits of such collaboration are most welcome and can be clearly seen in the development of the tourism sector in both parts of the island.
As Minister with responsibility for tourism, it is my intention to ensure that such collaboration grows and improves in the years ahead. The development, therefore, of closer working relationships between Ministers, Departments and tourism agencies, North and South, will be a continuing priority objective for the future. Indeed, I met Adam Ingram, the Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development, in Chicago earlier this month, during a tourism promotion visit to the US. That meeting was highly constructive in underlining our shared commitment and vision to further tourism promotion and marketing on an all-island basis over the coming years.
I sincerely believe that by co-operating whenever an appropriate opportunity presents itself we can help to increase our impact in the international marketplace, thereby delivering substantial growth to the tourism industry in Ireland, North and South.
It is incredible that two Ministers living within 100 miles of each other, one in Belfast and one in Dublin, have met once in the 117 days the Minister, Deputy McDaid, has been in office, and that that meeting was held in Chicago. They had to travel to Chicago to discuss co-operation and other business.
A question please, Deputy.
Does the Minister consider one meeting in 117 days adequate? Will he agree that if regular contacts had been made between himself and his northern counterpart, the fiasco involving the logo, for example, could have been avoided?
I agree with the Deputy. I intend to make regular contact with the Minister, Mr. Ingram. The more we can meet on a one to one basis, the better and the less confusion there will be on various matters. I have already written to the Minister inviting him to Dublin at his convenience and I look forward to meeting him on that occasion.
Does the Minister know the number of occasions the regional authority met the Northern Ireland Tourist Board? Has any consideration been given to developing regional airports as a means of creating tourism by way of short-term breaks? Much of the tourism generated in Dublin is due to the provision of weekend breaks, etc. Has the Northern Ireland Tourist Board or the regional boards any plans in that regard for the Border areas?
There is continuing communication between the two tourist boards and I envisage that there will be many more meetings. The Deputy will appreciate that the question relates to cross-Border tourism co-operation but he mentioned the regional airports. We must pay particular attention to the regions. I hope we will be able to do what we can for regional airports in the coming months. I would like to see the regions benefit.
There is a perception that the regions are doing less well than the east coast area. The east coast is developing at a fast rate and the regions are not able to keep up. It is not a question of the regions underperforming. The east coast region, Dublin in particular, has progressed outstandingly well in the past few years, thanks to good marketing and good product investment. I will focus attention on the regions.
As chairman of the Meath tourism promotion company I have a great interest in cross-Border co-operation. In his meetings with the Northern Ireland Minister, Mr. Ingram, will the Minister seek to put together a package to develop the promotion of the tourism product cooperatively? Given our proximity we could save money in marketing while building bridges and helping to improve links. The east coast has developed dramatically in recent years but it was many years behind other areas of the country which had depended on tourism. I ask the Minister to report to the House on his meetings on the basis that he will agree a package with NITB on promoting tourism.
I agree with the sentiments expressed. I have stated that the South and the North are only working at a percentage of their potential in many regards. The Deputy is aware that the Border area has suffered as a result, particularly the southern Border counties. I cannot over-emphasise how much the ceasefire has done for the Border counties.
INTERREG provides funding for the tourism sector in that area. Approximately £13.8 million is being provided with the hope of attracting up to £25 million or £26 million in funds. There are 130 projects for the Border region under INTERREG alone which are being discussed. Our budget is £6.7 million and the projects are worth approximately £38 million. Great entrepreneurial endeavours are being made in the Border region. I will report back to the Deputy and he may wish to raise the matter again with another question.
I wished to put a question about the imbalance in growth in Dublin and the regions but I was told it was not a matter for the Minister and that he could not give a view on the matter. Given that the issue has been raised, does the Minister agree that the imbalance between double figure percentage growth in Dublin as against 2 to 3 per cent in the regions is due partly to problems of access to the regions? What proposals has he to ensure that the regions enjoy the same level of growth as Dublin?
That is outside the scope of the question.
It is indicative of the good work done in marketing——
By the Minister's predecessor.
I have no hesitation in saying that the policies pursued by previous Ministers have resulted in the country enjoying a 70 per cent increase in visitor numbers from the US compared to 17 per cent in all the other countries in Europe. The investment has been worthwhile. We have a good product and excellent marketing initiatives in the US. We are creating a demand in the US and we must try to meet it. The Deputy will be aware that another airline has indicated interest in flying routes to Ireland. We are trying to meet the demands created by our excellent promotional activity. I hope to be able to secure further funding shortly and Bord Fáilte will be able to use the funds to assist the regions to market themselves. The regions will be able to better promote themselves in the face of the huge influx into Dublin — not to the east coast generally because there are areas in the east which have not developed as yet.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.