Written Answers. - Foot and Mouth Disease.
Jim O'Keeffe
Question:
77
Mr. J. O'Keeffe
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
if he has put in place any contingency plans to deal with the adverse effects on tourism of any restrictions arising from the foot and mouth crisis.
[6691/01]
Billy Timmins
Question:
79
Mr. Timmins
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
the measures his Department have taken to protect against the spread of foot and mouth disease here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6688/01]
David Stanton
Question:
329
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
the impact of the foot and mouth disease outbreak on tourism; the actions he has taken in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6844/01]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
330
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
if, in the tourism and sporting areas, he has taken any initiatives to deter the spread of foot and mouth disease here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[6910/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 79, 329 and 330 together.
The possibility of foot and mouth disease – FMD – spreading to this country threatens our economic security and livelihoods, not just those of our farmers and the agriculture and food sec tor, but potentially of virtually every citizen. Agriculture and livestock are of such vital importance to the whole Irish economy that we have to be thorough in our efforts to make sure that the disease does not spread with disastrous consequences.
The implications for our tourism industry, which employs more than 150,000 people and brings more than £3 billion annually into the economy, of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the State would depend on the scale and duration of any outbreak and associated restrictions. If there was a sustained outbreak accompanied by negative international publicity, travel restrictions and prolonged closure of certain key tourism attractions and facilities, it could have a very significant impact on the level of business in 2001 and subsequent year, in particular from the British market which has been one of the main engines of tourism growth in recent years.
The following initiatives have already been taken within the tourism sector to help reduce the danger of a spread of the disease: all carriers between the two islands are being urged by Bord Fáilte to increase their vigilance and to assist with any further strengthening of protective measures such as disinfectant programmes; the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development has called for the cancellation of parades throughout the country planned for St. Patrick's Day. The board of the national St. Patrick's Festival Company met on 1 March and decided, in the light of the current serious situation, to postpone this year's festival, including the parade; in response to the call from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development for the cancellation of all hunting, fishing, hill-walking etc. activity, Bord Fáilte has stepped down and suspended for the time being the promotion of holidays based on such activities in the British market and is reviewing on a case by case basis such promotions in other markets; the Irish Hotels Federation and the Restaurants Association of Ireland have asked their members to take preventative measures by, for example, placing disinfectant mats at their entrances; I have asked Bord Fáilte, CERT and the Irish Sports Council to apply appropriate disinfectant procedures at their offices and to cancel non-essential events involving the bringing together of people from farming communities or from infected areas. If such events have to proceed, disinfectant procedures should be used; the Irish Sports Council has written to all of the national governing bodies of sport and has asked them to examine all upcoming events and competitions and to consider any actions necessary to protect the country against the spread of the disease. Already many sporting organisations, including the IRFU, the GAA and the FAI have cancelled fixtures, and I would like to thank them for their co-operation; and Bord Fáilte is making a number of adjustments to their promotional and marketing programmes in response to the current situation, including the rescheduling of inward media and familiarisation visits.
Allowing for the sense of disappointment in relation to the cancellation of certain events, we may at least consider ourselves fortunate that this situation did not arise in the middle of our peak tourist season in July or August. That is another reason I know everyone involved in tourism is anxious to play a full and active part in the national effort now under way to prevent the spread of the disease. Against that background and the unfortunate but inevitable set-back to our efforts to attract early season tourist business, I can assure the tourism industry that, any promotional drive temporarily stood down will, once we have the all clear, be resumed by Bord Fáilte with renewed vigour.
Question No. 78 answered with Question No. 51.
Question No. 79 answered with Question No. 77.
Question No. 80 answered with Question No. 58.
