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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 4

Written Answers - Official Engagements.

Jack Wall

Question:

254 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the meetings he had with the tourism sector on his recent visit to San Francisco; the number of groups he met; if he met with the Minister for Tourism; if he used the tourism brief given to him by the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8230/03]

Jack Wall

Question:

255 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he or his Department will be supplying a brief to the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism in regard to his recent visit to San Francisco as to possibilities for tourism links and his or his Department officials' meetings with the tourist sector on his visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8231/03]

Jack Wall

Question:

256 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he or officials from his Department met with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism prior to his departure regarding his recent visit to San Francisco; if he was given a brief in regard to tourism; if that briefing was used during his visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8232/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 to 256, inclusive, together.

Successive Irish Governments have traditionally availed of the period around St. Patrick's Day to capitalise on the goodwill and unparalleled opportunities generated by the celebrations to promote Ireland around the world, including in terms of highlighting Ireland as an attractive tourist destination. I carried out a full programme of events and meetings while I was in the San Francisco area. During the course of my engagements, tourism matters were discussed and promoted on many occasions, including in my meetings with the mayors of both San Francisco and Oakland. I also met with representatives of Tourism Ireland and the other state agencies during my engagements in Silicon Valley. I used my speaking engagements as additional opportunities to promote tourism to Ireland.

Officials of my Department met with their counterparts in the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in advance of my visit, and I would like to express my appreciation to those officials who prepared comprehensive briefing material on tourism issues, which was very valuable. No doubt the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism will, in the light of the various ministerial visits and other promotional activities world-wide, co-ordinate, refine and appraise their strategy to maximise the benefits and spin-offs to the tourism industry.

Jack Wall

Question:

257 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the meetings the Minister of State at his Department had with the tourism sector on his recent visit to New Zealand; the number of groups he met; if he used the tourism brief given to him by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8233/03]

Successive Irish Governments have used the period around St. Patrick's Day to build the profile and foster the image of Ireland overseas. The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Kitt, who visited New Zealand between 14 and 19 March, used the opportunity which his meetings and speaking engagements afforded to promote tourism to Ireland. During his visit, as well as attending St. Patrick's Day functions, the Minister of State met with Prime Minister, Helen Clarke, and key political and economic leaders, as well as members of the Irish community.

The Minister of State attended a number of high profile St. Patrick's Day events in both Wellington and Auckland, one of which was a very successful reception hosted by Tourism Ireland at the Consulate-General in Auckland. New Zealand is a growing market for Irish tourism and the event attracted almost all the key tour providers in the Auckland area, as well as a number of influential travel writers. Tourism Ireland was represented at a senior level by Mr. Jim Paul, director for emerging markets.
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