Vol. 504 No. 3
10 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the discussions, if any, his Department has had with Bord Fáilte on the review of regional tourism authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11776/99]
Earlier this year Bord Fáilte, at my request, and in keeping with the commitment set out in the Government's An Action Programme for the Millennium, initiated a review of the regional tourism authorities, which were established by the board under the Tourist Traffic Acts for the promotion and development of tourism on a regional basis.
Bord Fáilte is being assisted by independent consultants and the review is expected to be completed this summer. My Department is due to be interviewed by the consultants as part of the review process.
Does the Minister agree there is serious fragmentation in the marketing of tourism at present, between his Department, Bord Fáilte, regional tourism authorities, partnerships, local authorities and Leader groups? What plans does the Minister have to co-ordinate all this effort? My concern is that there is a waste of resources and a lack of focus in the marketing of the regions because of the multiplicity of organisations involved. Does the Minister have any initiative to draw all these together in a co-ordinated effort to market Ireland in an effective way, both at home and abroad?
I agree there is a great deal of duplication. Recent research indicated there were 22 different organisations involved in tourism marketing. It is very difficult to draw them together without causing some form of ruckus. It was also indicated to me that approximately £100 million of EU funding was given to different groups outside the remit of my Department, which also gave rise to a great deal of overlapping. Some maturity has been brought to the whole process recently because groups such as Leader groups and enterprise boards have come together and pooled their resources with either the county or regional tourism bodies in their areas. I hope a certain amount of that overlapping has been overcome. Last year I introduced budgets for the regional tourism authorities for the first time, which I am continuing this year. The report back from last year was successful. I was delighted to see regional tourism authorities bringing that message to different European markets, such as Berlin, Milan and London. I believe that marketing is the future.
What gave rise to this review of the regional tourism authorities? Does the Minister intend to change the system following the review?
When one is dealing with the public purse, one must review all these matters to ensure, as Deputy Allen pointed out, one is getting value for money. The purpose of the review of the regional tourism authorities was to see if we were getting value for money. I was pleased with the way some regional tourism authorities spent their first budgets last year.
Does the Minister propose to change the system?
No, I do not have any basis for or intention to change the system.
It is pointless to call for an increased investment in infrastructure without defining the economic strategy served by such an investment and the specific projects to be targeted. Historically there have not been resources to meet the calls for infrastructure investment from the west and all other regions. Despite the attractiveness of the west, it has performed poorly, with growth of 70 per cent below that of the national average. Targeting particular regions can often result in a great deal of hot air but little action.
I am optimistic and believe there is great potential for the west. The policies introduced by different Governments in 1989 and 1993 in regard to EU structural funding have worked, generally, for this country. Now that those areas have Objective One status, I can see huge development in the west in the years ahead. There is great potential there.
I am not saying there is not potential. However, the difficulty can be in getting work started.
It took a number of years for towns to pick up on the urban renewal schemes. Those towns are now booming. It also took quite a number of years for the seaside resorts schemes to develop. Investors will now see the potential of investing in infrastructure, particularly product infrastructure, in areas in receipt of structural funding, such as the west.
