Vol. 544 No. 1
249 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if it is his policy to encourage the implementation of environmental measures in hotels and other establishments providing holiday accommodation to maximise water and energy conservation and minimise waste and pollution generation. [28303/01]
It is my policy to encourage the implementation of environmental measures in hotels and other establishments providing holiday accommodation. In 1997, I launched a special pilot tourism and the environment initiative because of the importance to our tourism industry of promoting good environmental practice.
One project, promoted by the Institute of Technology in Tralee, assessed the impact of hotels and guesthouses on the environment with a view to developing best practice models. When this project was completed last year, I was very happy to launch A Natural Shade of Green – An Environmental Guide for Hotels. The guide addresses issues such as, energy efficiency, waste elimination and reduction, reducing water usage, minimising effluents and developing an environmental purchasing policy. A similar guide has been issued for use by guesthouses.
I believe that these guide books, if used by hotels and other establishments, have the capacity to serve as blueprints for the wider implementation of environmental best practice for accommodation providers throughout the tourism industry.
Questions Nos. 250 and 251 answered with Question No. 78.
