Vol. 572 No. 1
74 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has carried out an assessment of the value of golf tourism to Ireland; the discussions he has had with golf clubs regarding his concerns at charging excessive green fees for non-members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22196/03]
While the level of green fees charged by golf clubs in Ireland is the responsibility of the individual clubs concerned, I am aware of concerns in our overseas markets that Ireland is becoming increasingly expensive for golfing visitors. Some golf clubs, I have been told, are charging very high green fees that bear no relationship to the level of service provided.
Fáilte Ireland, which is responsible for the overseas marketing of golf holidays and which monitors the value of golf tourism to Ireland through its survey of overseas tourists, has raised these concerns about value for money with individual clubs and with the various marketing groups around the country. There is no doubt but that excessive green fees pose a serious threat to the sustainability of our valuable golf tourism sector and I had no hesitation in supporting Fáilte Ireland's efforts in this regard by calling on golf clubs to exercise restraint in the green fees charged to non-members.
