Vol. 495 No. 5
62 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will provide an update on his plan to introduce a tax on tourists; the level of consultation which he has had regarding the introduction of this tax with the vested interest groups; and if he has raised this matter with the Department of Finance with a view to introducing the tax in the forthcoming budget. [20582/98]
Since assuming office, I have been concerned to increase Ireland's overseas tourism marketing in order to cope with increased competition and achieve better regional and seasonal spread through better focused activities.
I have already had the opportunity of discussing this and other issues with the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation and these consultations are continuing at official level. The introduction of a modest visitor levy is amongst the possible options currently under consideration in these discussions as a way to help assist in the future financing of international tourism marketing in the post-1999 EU Structural Funds period.
While the Minister for Finance is aware of my views on the subject, the Deputy will know that it would not be appropriate for me to speculate on what measures, if any, may be put forward for consideration in the upcoming budget.
