Vol. 504 No. 3
12 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans, if any, he has in the context of the next tranche of Structural Funds to deal with the regional imbalance of tourism numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11758/99]
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. By its nature, such an approach would prioritise projects for those areas which are currently underdeveloped for tourism, thereby spreading development and relieving tourism congestion in peak periods.
How this will be reflected in measures under the new national development plan remains to be seen. Work has already commenced on agreeing priorities for EU co-funding under Ireland's next national development plan and on clarifying the Commission's new procedures for the next round of Structural Funds. There is a separate national consultation process to be undergone, inclusive of the social partners, while the creation of new authorities for the two new regions and the possibility of regional operational programmes adds further necessary layers to the planning process. Until such time as this overall process is completed, it is difficult to give any indication of likely levels of EU financial commitments and programmes.
The process will also, of course, have regard to the paper prepared by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation, "Strategy for Growth beyond 2000 – A Strategic Framework for Irish Tourism", and to Bord Fáilte's business plan for Irish tourism marketing 1998-2003.
Does the Minister agree that one of the main problems causing regional imbalance is lack of access through regional airports, railways and roads? What proposals do the Minister and his Department have to address that? Does he agree that an interdepartmental body should be established to make recommendations in this area? A number of Departments are involved in providing access, including the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the Department of Public Enterprise, and a coherent approach is needed to deal with it.
Deputy Perry referred to another difficulty – securing staff to work in the tourism industry. I believe that might be due to the rates of pay. When the minimum wage is introduced, what proposals do the Minister and his Department have to police the rates of pay in the service sector?
Under the new procedures for questions, I will probably not be able to answer both of the Deputy's questions. I agree that access is vitally important. The city of Derry airport was opened yesterday with the introduction of Ryanair flights to London.
At present, approximately 12 million people come through Dublin Airport each year. Cork and Farranfore airports are doing well but other airports are not. We must improve access. Having been in Donegal with the Tánaiste this week I have seen the importance of access not just for tourists but for investors. The main question asked by investors who are considering setting up an enterprise in a region is how accessible the region is for people coming from the United States and for workers and training personnel. I am acutely aware of the importance of access in this regard.
I am not sure that an interdepartmental body is the proper way to proceed. There is great co-operation between the Department and the Northern Ireland authorities and I hope that can be expanded and increased in the future.
It is a case of location, location, location. I will leave Dublin by car at 4.30 p.m. today and I will not get home until about 9 p.m. There should be a national standard that one can get from any airport or seaport to any location in Ireland in two and a half hours. An interdepartmental group should be set up with the objective of achieving such a national standard. Does the Minister agree that this objective must be our aim?
The Deputy is lucky in that his constituency is serviced by rail and by air. I come from a region which has neither service.
We cannot use the train because it is full.
It would be nice to reach a target where every place could be accessible within two and a half hours. I would agree with the Deputy if that was possible. We must look at this issue in the context of the Department of the Environment and Local Government. More investment in this area, whether from the EU or elsewhere, is the answer.
Many people will not take up work in the tourism industry because of the rates of pay. There has been much talk about people coming here from other countries to work in the tourism industry and they should not be exploited. What proposals has the Department to police the minimum wage when it is introduced?
It will cause problems when it is introduced. I am already in discussions with the tourism industry about it. We have said in the past that we want to ensure this country does not become known as an expensive destination. Otherwise, we are only cutting our throats. While there are many other petty areas we could talk about, I want the industry to concentrate on its approach to the minimum wage. I do not want the industry to be forced to put up its prices so that we become known as an expensive desti nation. The industry is committed to ensuring that does not happen. We must work together on this issue.
The minimum wage will impact more on the tourism industry than on any other industry. I agree with the Deputy that it is vitally important we start working on it now. I ask the industry to concentrate on this area so that what happened in 1973 with the decimal coinage does not happen to us as a result of the minimum wage.
Perhaps the Minister will keep me informed.
