Vol. 563 No. 4
209 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he or his Department will be supplying a brief to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in regard to his recent visit to Paris 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. [8223/03]
210 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the meetings he had with the tourism sector on his recent visit to Paris; the number of groups he met; if he met with the Minister of 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. [8224/03]
211 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he or officials of his Department met with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism prior to his departure regarding his recent visit to Paris; 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. [8225/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 to 211, inclusive, together.
I visited Paris on 15 and 16 March en route to the Council of Agriculture Ministers meeting in Brussels on 17 March. During my short stay in Paris I attended a BIM fish products promotion and a number of St. Patrick's weekend events in the Irish Cultural Centre. Briefing material was supplied to me by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. I took every appropriate opportunity to promote Ireland as a tourist destination as well as promoting Irish food and drink products.
212 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agri and Food Food the meetings the Minister of State at his Department had with the tourism sector on his recent visit to Hong Kong; the number of groups he met; 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. [8226/03]
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Treacy, visited Hong Kong from 13 to 16 March 2003. In addition to promoting Irish food products, he took every opportunity to promote Ireland as a tourist destination, while representing the Government at three St. Patrick's Day festivities and events. During the visit the Minister of State had six different meetings which included the Irish Business Forum, Enterprise Ireland and various companies.
213 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the meetings the Minister of State at his Department had with the tourism sector on his recent visit to Japan; the number of groups he met; 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. [8227/03]
The Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Aylward, visited Japan from 13 to 25 March 2003. While there he represented the Government at a number of St. Patrick's Day festivities and events, taking every opportunity to promote Ireland as a tourist destination. During the visit the Minister of State had five different meetings which included a meeting with the president of Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation and the president of the National Agricultural Research Organisation. The Minister of State also represented the Minister for the Environment and Local Government and led the Irish delegation at the ministerial conference at the World Water Forum in Kyoto.
