Vol. 563 No. 4
335 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the meetings he had with the tourism sector on his recent visit to Australia; the number of groups he met; if he met the Minister for Tourism; 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. [8234/03]
336 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he or his Department will be supplying a brief to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism regarding his recent visit to Australia, 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. [8235/03]
337 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he or officials from his Department met the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism prior to his departure regarding his recent visit to Australia; 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. [8236/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 to 337, inclusive, together.
I had the honour to accompany the President on her official visit to Australia over the St. Patrick's Day period. On that visit the President and I met many thousands of the Irish community and friends of Ireland at a number of functions organised by the embassy, consulate and other groups in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Among those events was a lunch for 180 people in Sydney organised by Tourism Ireland Limited for tour operators and other important contacts in the tourism industry. I am sure that TIL will be reporting back on the success of that lunch to its head office in Dublin and to the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism. If any further report is requested by the Minister, I will be happy to provide one.
338 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the meetings the Minister of State at his Department had with the tourism sector on her recent visit to Houston and San Antonio, Texas; the number of groups she met; if she used the tourism brief given to her by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8237/03]
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.
The Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, travelled to Texas from 12 to 18 March and carried out a full programme of events and meetings. She availed of all opportunities at the functions and meetings to promote the tourism sector. The brief supplied by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism was an invaluable reference for these meetings and in preparing the speeches for the various functions.
