Written Answers. - Tourism Industry.
David Stanton
Question:
224
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
the contribution of Aer Lingus to the tourism industry; his estimate of the number of tourists from North America, Europe and elsewhere respectively that have travelled here by Aer Lingus each year for the past three years and in 2001 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28124/01]
David Stanton
Question:
232
Mr. Stanton
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
the most recent contribution inputted to Irish access transport policy by his Department from a tourism dimension; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[28209/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 232 together.
Bord Fáilte have provided figures for the numbers of visitors travelling by air to Ireland for the periods in question, as follows:
|
Country ofResidence/Year
|
NorthAmerica(000's)
|
Europe(000's)
|
Rest ofWorld(000's)
|
Total(000's)
|
|
1998
|
748
|
2,990
|
162
|
3,900
|
|
1999
|
849
|
3,284
|
193
|
4,326
|
|
2000
|
951
|
3,571
|
207
|
4,729
|
|
Jan to Jun 2001
|
405
|
1,585
|
99
|
2,089
|
Average of arriving/departing overseas visitors including same-day visits. Europe includes Britain. (Source: CSO Country of Residence Survey).
However, all figures for the number of people travelling by individual carriers, including Aer Lingus, to Ireland for the periods in question are provided to Bord Fáilte on a strictly confidential basis and for commercial reasons it is not possible for Bord Fáilte to release them.
I am very conscious of the critical role that air carriers, including Aer Lingus, play in driving tourism growth and of the importance of encouraging the widest possible range of reliable, regular and commercial air services for Irish tourism. The Government has been working closely with the Irish aviation sector to help resolve recent difficulties and to help preserve the greatest number of international gateways. The Government moved quickly, in the wake of the September 11 crisis, to help resolve insurance difficulties which could have grounded aircraft and a high level group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and including representatives of my Department, is currently looking at the interaction between access transport, particularly by air, and tourism with a view to identifying possibilities for increasing the flow of visitors to Ireland. My Department has also been keeping in close touch with the Department of Public Enterprise on air access issues generally. In this context I welcome the recent decisions by Aer Rianta to extend their discount scheme for new routes to Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports. Under this scheme there will be zero charges at Dublin for new routes for three years, and for four years at the other two airports.
The Government continues to review developments in Aer Lingus and is deeply concerned at the difficulties it faces at this time. I and my colleagues in Government are very much aware of the key role played by Aer Lingus in relation to air access, particularly on the vitally important North American routes, and of the enormous contribution it has made as a service provider, and as an engine for the economic growth and development of Ireland and to Irish society generally. I am confident that every effort will be made to ensure that the vital role that Aer Lingus plays both with respect to tourism and generally, is given full recognition as the measures necessary to ensuring the continuing viability of the company in the longer term are developed and put in place.
Question No. 225 answered with Question No. 78.
Question No. 226 answered with Question No. 90.
Questions Nos. 227 and 228 answered with Question No. 78.
Question No. 229 answered with Question No. 80.
