Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - Official Engagements.

Derek McDowell

Question:

68 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the matters discussed and any conclusions reached at the meeting with his Northern counterpart, Sir Reg Empey, MLA, on 30 March 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11984/01]

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

I chaired the second meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council – NSMC – in tourism sectoral format in the Institute of Technology, Letterkenny, on Friday, 30 March 2001. Also in attendance were Sir Reg Empey, MLA, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and Dr. Sean Farren, MLA, Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, representing the Northern Ireland Executive.

As the Deputy is aware, tourism is an area for co-operation under the North-South Ministerial Council provided for in the Good Friday Agreement and, in that context, it has been agreed that a publicly owned limited company will be established to carry out functions aimed at promoting increased tourism to the island of Ireland. At our first meeting in tourism sectoral format held on 27 October 2000, myself and Minister Empey agreed the draft memorandum and articles of association for the proposed tourism company, the composition of the board and the necessary start-up arrangements. The company, known as Tourism Ireland Limited, was formally established on 11 December 2000 and the members of the board were appointed later that month.

At our meeting on 30 March, the vice-chairperson of Tourism Ireland Limited, Ms Ann Riordan, accompanied by Mr. Felix Mooney, board member, gave an update on progress to date in establishing the company. Work is progressing on the further development of Tourism Brand Ireland – TBI – and marketing programmes for 2002, and staffing structures and proposals for the offices in Dublin and Coleraine are being developed. The post of chief executive has been advertised and the board hopes to be in a position to make an early appointment.

Minister Empey and myself conveyed to Ms Riordan our appreciation of the hard work and commitment of the chairperson, Mr. Andrew Coppel, of herself as vice-chairperson and the other members of the board in taking forward the establishment of Tourism Ireland Limited. We stressed the need to maintain this rate of progress so that Tourism Ireland Limited would be in a position to play the full part envisaged for it as quickly as possible. Illustrating this progress, we considered and approved the draft codes of conduct for board members and for the staff of the company. The codes deal with the accountability and conduct of its members and staff.

At our last NSMC meeting we had asked for a discussion paper to be produced in co-operation with relevant Departments North and South, on the subject of training in the tourism and hospitality industry. At the meeting on 30 March, we discussed a paper that was jointly produced by the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, and my own Department in conjunction with CERT.

The paper provided an update on the support mechanisms and training arrangements for the tourism and hospitality sector in both parts of the island. It referred to some joint initiatives such as the International Fund for Ireland tourism programme which has facilitated North-South collaboration between the training agencies, tourism marketing boards and industry representative associations. The paper also identified some key areas where joint activities in both jurisdictions could be beneficial and it was agreed that these should be further examined.

Finally, we discussed the continuing serious implications for the tourism industry, North and South, of the foot and mouth disease crisis. We reiterated the determination of the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive to combat the disease in every way possible and that, for our part, we would continue to work in close consultation with our Ministerial colleagues in agriculture in that regard. We expressed our determination to work closely with Tourism Ireland Limited, Bord Fáilte Éireann, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and with the industry in ensuring that the future for tourism in both parts of the island is a positive one and that its potential is realised to the full. We sent out a strong message that the island of Ireland is open for tourism business and that, subject to the appropriate precautions, home market business – conferences, meetings, seminars and social events – should go ahead.

We agreed that our next NSMC meeting would take place in Northern Ireland in June 2001.

Question No. 69 answered with Question No. 54.