Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 3 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 5

Written Answers. - Tourism Industry.

John Perry

Question:

27 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the measures, if any, he will put in place to monitor the allocation of funding to projects under the operational programme for tourism 2000-2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2851/00]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

As the current national development plan does not provide for an operational programme for tourism 2000-2006, I presume the Deputy is referring to the tourism measures which are to be provided for under the productive investment sub-programme of the regional operational programmes. A total of £100 million has been provided over the seven year period of the plan for the development of tourism product in the two regions, under these programmes.

The regional assemblies are the managing authorities for the regional operational programmes. The Department of Finance, with the agreement of the regional assemblies, has commenced work on the drafting of the regional operational programmes on their behalf, until the secretariats to the assemblies are fully in place. It is anticipated that the regional operational programmes will be finalised in the first quarter of 2000.

My Department is currently working on proposals in relation to tourism product measures for input into this process. Accordingly, it is not possible at this stage to outline arrangements for monitoring and implementation which will also require the formal agreement of the European Commission.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

31 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if his attention has been drawn to the warnings from Bord Fáilte that litter and poor value are tarnishing the attraction of Ireland as a tourist destination; the steps, if any, he is taking to encourage the tourism industry to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2749/00]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

Ministerial responsibility for issues relating to litter lies with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government and he and I are acutely aware of the impact litter can have on tourist perceptions of Ireland and holidaying in Ireland.

I particularly welcome the priority which he and the local authorities are now giving to tackling this problem. Local authorities are now taking a more pro-active role in eradicating litter. There were 859 prosecutions for littering during the first six months of 1999 as compared to 507 in the same period in 1998. The number of full and part-time litter wardens has also increased in the same period, from 191 to 298, and last month the on-the-spot fine for littering was increased from £25 to £50.

A National Anti-Litter Forum was established by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, in July 1999. The forum is expected to issue a report over the next few months outlining strategies to combat litter. It will outline a programme to tackle the problem over a four to five year period. Bord Fáilte and the Irish Hotels Federation have representatives on the forum.

Meanwhile, the tourism and the environment pilot initiative, which I launched under the 1994-99 operational programme for tourism, has, as one of its objectives, the encouragement of innovative thinking on litter control systems. Two pilot projects, one in Waterford and one in Tipperary, are aimed specifically at developing models for towns and cities on how to effectively tackle the litter problem. These projects will be completed over the next few months and hopefully will bring fresh thinking to bear on this issue.

In a highly competitive international environment, value for money is a critical determinant in holiday choices, and we cannot afford a price drift upwards in a fashion that endangers the impact of the huge investment in Irish tourism over the past decade. I have consistently highlighted this issue in addresses to the industry, and will continue to do so as value for money remains an ongoing requirement for any successful tourism industry.