P. J. Sheehan
Question:8 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the way in which he will ensure that the growth in tourism will be environmentally sustainable. [11715/99]
Ceisteanna–Questions. Priority Questions. - Tourism Development.
Government policy on tourism development fully recognises that Ireland's clean environment is one of our major natural tourism strengths and that the appropriate balance must be struck between conservation and development. In so far as tourism is concerned, my Department's Statement of Strategy 1998-2000, states that the Department mission is to contribute to the economic and social progress of Irish society by developing a sustainable tourism sector which champions high standards in marketing, service quality and product development.
The Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99 specifically states that the Government is determined that existing environmental resources will be managed in a way that will yield the great est sustainable benefit to present generations while maintaining the potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations. Key sustainability factors which apply under this programme are the emphasis on: extending the tourism season away from the July and August peak times; tourism revenue rather than visitor numbers and improving existing rather than new tourism product.
Under the programme, all developments are required to comply with the best environmental standards. The impact of the planning process on tourism development is further strengthened by the requirement that planning approval must be obtained before grant assistance under the OP is confirmed.
Arising directly from the mid-term review of the operational programme, a new measure, the tourism and the environment initiative, was written into and funded under the OP. The objective of this initiative is to generate practical demonstration projects during the 1999 tourism season which address issues where tourism and the environment interface. The intention is to encourage projects that would point to ways of supporting balanced tourism development while at the same time sustaining the environment on which it is based.
Additional Information
The initiative attracted more than 120 applications from all over Ireland and EU funding of some £2.6 million is being made available to the 22 selected projects to assist with the costs of implementation. The progress of these projects, many of which are located at popular tourist destinations in Counties Kerry, Galway, Donegal, Cork and Wicklow is being closely monitored by Bord Fáilte and Shannon Development so that impacts can be measured. It is anticipated that these projects will add considerably to learning on best practice in, for example, visitor management schemes, litter control, traffic management and carrying capacity analysis, management of sensitive areas and so influence future tourism policy. The initiative touches on all the vital elements of good tourism policy. First, it addresses issues which are becoming of increasing concern. Second, it is regionally spread and tackles the precise problems in the precise locations where they occur. Third, the projects are locally driven.
A one-day workshop for the promoters and managers of the 22 projects took place on Thursday, 29 April. The purpose of the workshop was to have project managers focus on the key issues of measuring individual project impact through evaluation of baseline data, indicators and targets. In addition, the workshop allowed promoters exchange views and experiences in implementing their various projects. More than 80 people attended. The external evaluator for the tourism operational programme will produce an interim report on the initiative later this year and a full evaluation early in 2000.
In preparation for the new national development plan, my Department produced a discussion paper last March, entitled "Strategy for Tourism Development in the context of EU Structural Funding 2000-2006". The paper proposes objectives and a strategic approach for future investment in product development, marketing and training, based on a range of possible policy actions to meet those objectives. The new directions suggested are founded on a selective approach based on environmentally sensitive, sustainable tourism and regional development. Considerable emphasis is placed, therefore, on ensuring that future growth in tourism is environmentally sustainable.
In planning for post-1999, my Department will closely monitor the new tourism and the environment initiative which it is envisaged will play an important role in developing future tourism policy in the next round of Community Structural Funds.
Does the Minister accept that Ireland is seen abroad as "clean and green"? How long more can we expect to retain that image when many of our key popular tourist areas are becoming over-saturated? Will the Minister address the issues of waste management and sewage treatment which will seriously affect the areas which are becoming saturated with tourists? What links are there between his Department, the Department of the Environment and Local Government and local authorities to deal with these key issues? I support the Minister's views on extending the tourist season and promoting more attractive events outside the areas which are becoming over-saturated.
We have a litter problem which is difficult to overcome. We need to start in schools. A baby learns and retains more in his or her first year than in the next 50 years. The same applies to children in their formative years. Consequently, if a child touches a hot stove he or she learns not to touch it again. We need to start educating children in school about this matter. It is not possible to teach an old dog new tricks.
None of us takes individual responsibility for littering. We often see people throwing bags from cars or cigarette butts here and there but none of us take individual responsibility and confront those people – I suppose we know what we would get. That is the tendency of the Irish mentality which is unfortunate. I was delighted when litter wardens were appointed and litter courts set up. I wish they had a higher profile and could be extended to different parts of the country. This is a wonderful clean island and I hope it will continue to be.
Does the Minister agree that the great hidden treasure of the west can be revealed to the world by an innovative approach to packaging and marketing rural Ireland? The present ad hoc and ill-defined support given to rural tour ism needs to be replaced with an integrated regional approach linked to the aggressive marketing of a well-defined product overseas. There is a huge market for rural tourism, which we are not exploiting, particularly in Sligo and the western counties.
The Deputy is making a statement.
What plans does the Minister have for rural tourism?
I mentioned the tourism and the environment initiative which has funds of £3 million. We received 120 applications from which we chose 22 and many were in the west. These are private projects whose development we will monitor and they concern litter or other matters raised by Deputies. This country, particularly the west, must learn from the mistakes made in the Mediterranean. Different areas can also learn from mistakes which have been made in other parts of the country.