Vol. 557 No. 5
55 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the policy of the current Administration regarding the implementation of environmental measures in hotels and other establishments providing holiday accommodation to maximise water and energy conservation and to minimise waste and pollution generation. [22470/02]
75 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the policy of the current Administration regarding the implementation of environmental measures in hotels and other establishments providing holiday accommodation to maximise water and energy conservation and to minimise waste and pollution generation. [22461/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 75 together.
Although my Department has no direct responsibility in this regard, it is nonetheless my policy to encourage the implementation of environmentally responsible measures by hotels and other establishments providing holiday accommodation.
Under the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-1999, funding was provided for a pilot tourism and the environment initiative to generate practical projects that would address issues where tourism and the environment interface. One of the projects supported concerned research on best environmental practice by tourism accommodation providers. This research resulted in the production of an excellent manual entitled A Natural Shade of Green – An Environmental Guide for Hotels. A similar guide was prepared for guesthouses. These practical guides, which address the environmental issues raised by the Deputies, including energy efficiency, conserving resources and waste reduction, provide a blueprint for best environmental practice for accommodation providers throughout the tourism industry.
The maintenance of a clean, unspoilt environment is central to the Irish holiday experience and I encourage accommodation and all tourism product providers to enhance their reputation and help secure the future of the industry by adopting best environmental practices as set out in the guides.
I am aware that A Natural Shade of Green – An Environmental Guide for Hotels was launched two years ago. Are there any initiatives in the Department to encourage other Ministers to enact legislation which would make it mandatory for hotels or guesthouses to have a minimum standard of environmental good practice? The Minister will be aware that this is an increasingly important aspect of marketing Ireland as a tourism destination. If we lose our green image, we will lose large amounts of revenue to other countries in northern Europe, such as Sweden and Finland. One can discuss the reasons there are not enough Europeans visiting this country but given the high level of environmental awareness among the Germans and the French, for example, will the Minister agree that any effort to progress this matter and to highlight our hotels and guesthouses as being environmentally friendly will only benefit tourism and encourage tourists from continental Europe to visit Ireland?
I strongly agree with the sentiments expressed by the Deputy. In the final analysis, it is a matter for individual hotels and guesthouses to decide what their position is in this matter. However, I am encouraged by the fact that the Irish Hotels Federation has, over the last number of years, been preparing a waste management strategy and intends to launch it in the near future. Under the tourism development programme, 2000-2006, approximately €130 million has been provided to develop the Irish tourism product under three categories, one of which is tourism and the environment. It is my sincere wish that there will be innovative applications from people involved in the sector with a view to ensuring that the environment is enhanced and, where applicable, preserved.
I intend to introduce a national tourism development authority Bill and we should address the environmental issue in that context. There is no point pretending that it could be a problem if people ignore the benefits of protecting the environment. In particular, it is something which might be usefully discussed during the debate on how best the new body might progress in terms of policy implementation. I hope to have the opportunity to address the issue again when that legislation is being discussed to see if it is possible, on a practical level, to insert a provision or provisions which would be helpful to the case made by the Deputy.
The Minister will be familiar with the white flag award for leisure centres. Most of these leisure centres are located in hotels. Does the Minister think the white flag award could be extended to encourage hotels to become environmentally friendly in all their operations?
Again, this is something which could be discussed in the context of the new legislation. Perhaps we should consider it when deciding whether certain hotels should be graded with one, two, three, four or five stars. It is extraordinary that this country starts grading hotels at three stars. I doubt that it is conducive to good marketing or is of assistance to the industry. One of the factors which could be taken into account in the future grading of hotels, for example, is the hotel's contribution to a cleaner environment. I look forward to hearing contributions from Members on all sides of the House to the debate on the new national tourism development authority Bill. I will be happy to discuss proposals which would be conducive to assisting the industry.
