I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 254 together.
Last November the Government approved the creation of a new national tourism development authority whose remit will include the promotion of training, human resource and marketing skills development in the tourism industry and other functions currently carried out by Bord Fáilte and CERT. This is one of the key tourism commitments in An Agreed Programme for Government.
The new authority can build on the proven knowledge, skills and experience of Bord Fáilte and CERT and combine these to create new synergies that will provide a highly effective institutional arrangement to support the continued development of Irish tourism and help meet the new challenges the sector faces at this time.
The Government has also approved the drafting of a Bill to provide the statutory basis for the new authority. The text of the National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002, is being prepared in consultation with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. Subject to approval by Government, I expect to present it to Dáil Éireann and circulate it to Deputies within the next few weeks. The Bill will form part of the Government's legislative programme for the current Dáil session.