Vol. 541 No. 3
10 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the membership of the task force on tourism; the dates on which the task force met in the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22410/01]
165 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the membership of the task force on tourism; the dates on which the task force met in the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22652/01]
I propose to take Questions
Nos. 10 and 165 together.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the high level tourism action group, chaired by the chief executive of Bord Fáilte, established in early March this year at the onset of the foot and mouth disease emergency. The purpose of the group was to actively manage issues which were affecting tourism business and to help limit any medium to long-term damage to the industry's image and prospects at home and overseas. The group comprised senior tourism industry figures from the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation – ITIC – including representatives of hotels and other accommodation providers, the air and sea carriers and tour operators, together with senior officials of Bord Fáilte and a representative of my Department.
This group met twice weekly during the height of the FMD emergency but, with the agreement of the industry representatives, was voluntarily wound up in May when the major FMD control measures in Ireland were lifted in line with expert advice, and after the design and launch of a tourism marketing reassurance campaign by Bord Fáilte.
The Government's FMD task force, which is normally chaired by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and which comprises other Ministers and Departmental officials as appropriate, together with representatives of the security forces, is continuing to meet in line with requirements. The task force monitors the FMD situation, co-ordinates the Government response and advises on disease control measures. My Department is represented on this task force by a senior official from the tourism division.
