I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 61 together.
My Department does not provide direct grant aid for tourism product development. Bord Fáilte was the implementing body for such schemes under the Tourism Operational Programme, 1994-1999, with decisions on grant approval being made by an independent product management board. A similar arrangement will be in place under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 under which I was able to obtain a commitment of £100 million for a tourism product development.
The new tourism product investment scheme will be administered via the tourism measures of the regional operational programmes. The overall objective of the scheme is to develop the tourism product in a sustainable way that widens the spatial spread of tourism, diverts pressure from highly developed areas and increases the under-performing regions' share of overseas tourism revenue.
There is a general consensus that the focus of public investment in tourism projects must be to enhance the potential of less developed tourism areas by supporting the development of significant attractions or clusters of attractions in such areas. Once a good attractions base starts to be built, it is my view that accommodation developments – whether refurbishment or new build – will follow. In and around areas where new attractions are to be developed under the regional operational programmes, accommodation projects are likely to become even more bankable propositions.
There is quite a long response and in view of the time element and the Deputy's concern about this matter if he wishes I can—