Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Dec 2015

Vol. 901 No. 2

Topical Issue Debate

Flood Prevention Measures

Deputy Gabrielle McFadden

As we know, this continues to be a very difficult and anxious time for the people affected by or even at risk of flooding. People are living in fear and uncertainty. People, some of them elderly, are worried sick about feeling trapped in their homes. This is a very stressful time, particularly for older people. I have seen it myself helping people to leave their homes. Nobody should have to leave their home in fear. This is clearly a humanitarian situation where properties are at the mercy of flood damage and householders and businesses are sick with worry about how they can rebuild their lives.

What makes the situation more distressing is the fact that many of the properties do not have flood insurance. Some families spent their life savings after the floods of 2009 putting their homes back in order. Where do they go now for help? The Government should invest in or design a package aimed at people who cannot get flood insurance. This is not about a handout for people. These people can pay and have always paid their insurance. I am cognisant of the fact that this Government recognises the need to support people and businesses at a time of crisis, particularly during the run-up to Christmas. I strongly welcome the introduction of the €5 million fund set up so quickly to aid small businesses which have suffered damage. It is critical that the initial sum of €5,000 is paid out before Christmas, as has been promised, with the further €15,000 delivered as soon as possible after Christmas.

I ask the Government to explore what supports are available for farmers, who I understand are ineligible for the emergency funding despite the fact that they are businesses. Farms have been flooded, property has been damaged and fodder has been destroyed as a result. Farms are enterprises and should be included in any funding scheme.

There is a separate humanitarian assistance scheme for householders. The scheme aims to provide for people who have suffered damage to their homes. I appeal to the administrators to make an extra effort to process these applications as quickly as possible and I appeal for an increase in staff, if necessary.

Apart from the financial measures, there are a number of practical measures, including relatively small remedial works, that could be looked at to alleviate flooding in the long term. In 1979, levels in Lough Ree were raised temporarily for navigation purposes but as far as I am aware, they have never been restored to their original level. I ask for this to be looked at in the context of the current flooding. It is also clear that sections of River Shannon need dredging. Essentially, this involves clearing bog and undergrowth out of the river. The premise is simple. It is like a drain that has been blocked. If it is cleared, the water can flow. The Minister of State is probably aware of the cut at Meelick and Banagher which allows Lough Ree waters to flow into Lough Derg. This cut badly needs clearing as it is completely overgrown. Some work was done after 2009 and it made a huge difference but it still needs more remedial work. It is an issue that should be addressed as soon as possible.

The Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management, CFRAM, report is due in 2016. A total of 300 flood risk areas were identified nationally as part of this work and over 60 of them are along the River Shannon. I want to see long-term solutions as soon as possible arising from this report, with one of them being one lead authority for the River Shannon.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Paul Kehoe)

I acknowledge that this is a very important issue for the Deputy who is from the constituency that has been most affected by the flooding over the past number of days. As the Deputy rightly noted, the Government approved the allocation of €5 million to be distributed as emergency humanitarian support to small businesses that through no fault of their own have been unable to secure flood insurance and have been flooded recently. The scheme, which is being administered by the Irish Red Cross Society, will provide a once-off ex gratia contribution to the costs of damage incurred by those small businesses which were unable to secure flood insurance and were flooded arising from the impact of Storm Desmond during the period from 4 to 17 December 2015.

The scheme is aimed at providing a contribution to the costs of returning business premises to their pre-flood condition, including the replacement of flooring, fixtures and fittings and damaged stock. It only applies to rateable premises that have been flooded and it is intended as an emergency humanitarian assistance contribution rather than compensation for loss or a replacement for the cover provided by insurance.

The emergency nature of the response to the impact on businesses affected by the flooding required a speedy process in order to meet the needs of affected businesses. In this regard, a two-step approach is being taken involving an initial application which, if successful, will lead to a quick payment which will be capped at €5,000 per property. Applications under the €5,000 threshold will be paid following a rapid verification process.

It is anticipated that some businesses will have incurred significant damages and will require a more detailed assessment of losses incurred. The second stage of the scheme will be a more lengthy process requiring a detailed assessment and will provide the scope for a further payment with the total payment available capped at €20,000.

Application forms for the scheme are available on the Irish Red Cross website. I encourage all businesses affected by flooding to go to the Irish Red Cross website.

The humanitarian assistance scheme of the Department of Social Protection is available to assist people whose homes are damaged by flooding and other adverse weather conditions and who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair. The Department of Social Protection has activated its humanitarian assistance scheme, administered by the local community welfare service, to assist householders affected by the current bad weather conditions. The situation in all affected areas is being monitored and community welfare service staff are engaging with the local authorities and other agencies to ensure supports are being provided to those affected as swiftly as possible. Staff are assessing and meeting the demand for assistance by the public as needs arise and, when necessary, are visiting the homes of persons affected. This is happening in the Athlone area where the Department of Social Protection officials are in constant contact with Westmeath County Council and are providing whatever supports are required, including the provision of additional clinics and visits to persons' homes, as necessary. Emergency community welfare service clinics have been established in Grace Park Road, Athlone, operating mornings and afternoons.

The Defence Forces and Civil Defence have been actively involved in assisting householders and businesses in Athlone under the terms of the framework for major emergency management. All of the available resources of the Defence Forces have been made available to support the principal response agencies and the Defence Forces have responded positively to all requests for support. In the Athlone area, the Defence Forces have provided personnel and vehicles to support the provision of lighting and the filling of sandbags. In addition, floating water pumps have been provided to Westmeath County Council. The Air Corps has provided and continues to provide air reconnaissance of rivers and coastal areas in the Headford and Athlone areas.

The local Civil Defence units from Westmeath and Roscommon have been assisting with flood relief efforts including evacuating families from their homes, moving furniture, distributing sandbags and delivering fuel. I commend the Defence Forces, Civil Defence and all other agencies and volunteers who have tirelessly worked to assist householders and businesses in Athlone and other flood stricken areas around the country over the past ten days.

Deputy Gabrielle McFadden

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to take this matter. This situation is not sustainable for communities and businesses. They cannot continue to endure it. I know the Government is committed to doing all it can. It is not just a matter of planning but of investing the resources needed to implement these flood defence plans that are so talked about. I am very pleased to see the considerable investment allocated. I know the Government has set aside more money for the next five years than has been spent in the previous 20 years and that can only be good for Athlone.

I have been assisting in the emergency support efforts in Athlone since the flooding hit the town and have seen at first hand the huge effort invested on behalf of many people, not least by the volunteers who have been working 24 hours a day for the past two weeks. I pay tribute to the volunteers, the local authority, the Defence Forces, the Civil Defence, An Garda Síochána, the Irish Red Cross and the Health Service Executive, not just in Athlone but around the country. Athlone has united to assist people in their time of need. The battle continues to keep the flood at bay but the resilience shown by the local communities is incredible. Many businesses have donated food to the volunteers. The Irish Red Cross had to pay for pumps on a personal credit card. That is not good enough. The national flood emergency response plan has to be reviewed when we recover from the situation we are in now.

While the outdoor staff and executive of Westmeath County Council have worked tirelessly and exceptionally hard in the past two weeks, we need to know why the Army was not called out earlier in Athlone as it was in other towns and why any member of the Irish Red Cross would have to pay for a pump on a personal credit card. Surely the council should have enough money to provide pumps where they are needed.

I want to send out a clear message that Athlone is very much open for business. This is a very important time of year for local businesses and I cannot emphasise enough to shoppers that they are more than welcome to come into Athlone and to move about freely. The town is not flooded.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

I, too, acknowledge the volunteers trying to save premises from being flooded over the past few days. They have worked tirelessly almost 24 hours a day. They have to be applauded for that. The Deputy said the Irish Red Cross had to pay for pumping machines and diesel with a personal credit card. That is not acceptable. I asked officials in the Department to call the county manager in Westmeath County Council but he was not aware of that. I am not sure of the background to this story but the Deputy should contact the people in the Irish Red Cross and tell them to contact the assistant chief fire officer, Mr. Pat Hunt, about this. The Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence have been working closely with the Irish Red Cross, even though it is independent.

The Deputy mentioned the Defence Forces not being called out earlier. I understand that is a matter for Westmeath County Council in that the Defence Forces were at the disposal of councils when called. It is entirely up to the people in charge to put the call in to the Defence Forces. It is not the fault of the Defence Forces that they were late. It was for Westmeath County Council to make the call. I spoke to some of the senior officers in the Athlone area and they were willing and able to help when they got the call.

The Deputy also mentioned homes being flooded. She should encourage people to go to the Department of Social Protection. There are welfare officers on the ground willing and able to help because this is a difficult time of year, coming up to Christmas. They will assist householders in financial need.

The flood level in Lough Ree and the sections of the River Shannon and Lough Derg needing dredging are matters for the Office of Public Works. I will bring them to the attention of the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Harris, who has been very involved with the flooding in the Athlone area and I have no doubt he plans to visit there. I will get the officials to do that this afternoon.

Yesterday I answered a Topical Issue matter raised by a Deputy opposite about flooded farm land and advised him to raise the issue with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, and the Department. I promised that I would also raise it with the Minister and I will but I also encourage farmers to get in contact with farming organisations, such as the Irish Farmers Association or the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association. I have no doubt those organisations will be in touch with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine regarding the problems, whether a fodder crisis or whatever, in the area.

I know the Deputy has been very involved in helping people and their families in Athlone over the past few days. I commend her for that because people depend on their public representatives at such times. I will bring the issues she has raised to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Harris, and the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, and encourage her to contact Mr. Pat Hunt, the assistant chief fire officer in Westmeath County Council regarding the Irish Red Cross payment with a personal credit card.

Deputy Gabrielle McFadden

I have no question about the willingness of members of the Defence Forces to come out the minute they were asked. My problem was that Westmeath County Council did not ask them out in time. Something should be done afterwards to make the plan a national one. I know that members of the Army in Athlone were willing and able to come out.

Middle East Issues

Deputy Seán Crowe

Much has happened following Sinn Féin's Private Members' motion which called on the Government to recognise the state of Palestine and which was passed unopposed in the Dáil on 10 December 2014. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu has since been re-elected as Prime Minister of Israel. He has overseen the illegal blockade and mediaeval siege of Gaza, the building of an apartheid wall in Palestine, the construction of more illegal colonial settlements in east Jerusalem and on the West Bank and the wholesale destruction of Gaza during a brutal 50-day bombardment in 2014 and an eight-day bombardment in 2012 in which collectively nearly 2,500 Palestinians were killed and over 10,000 injured. During the course of the election campaign Mr. Netanyahu clearly stated he would never recognise the state of Palestine and peace negotiations have gone nowhere. Ireland needs to swiftly put itself on the right side of history and join the vast majority of countries, 136, that have recognised the state of Palestine.

We know that consensus will not be reached at European level and that Palestinians cannot wait for it. Sweden has recognised this and its new government took that step. It took years at EU level to introduce the labelling of settlement goods. The Irish people have shown huge solidarity with and support for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination. Tens of thousands of people across the island have taken part in demonstrations in support of the Palestinian people. Will the Government recognise the state of Palestine before its term ends? It is a simple question.

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Deputy Seán Crowe mentioned Sinn Féin's Private Members' motion of 10 December 2014 which called on the Government to officially recognise the state of Palestine. It was passed unopposed by the House. Not one Member of the Oireachtas - a similar motion was passed by the Seanad - voted against either motion, yet the Government has refused to act on a motion passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. As I said at the time, while some people were spinning in saying the motion was non-binding, I do not see how a Government could not support it and its effects in the future. It is not only a challenge to us, as Opposition Members, but also a challenge to the Government to live up to what is contained in it. Sadly, the Government has not done so and we are back again on the eve of the end of the Government, having seen no movement, despite the fact that it is over one year since the motion was passed. In my speech at the time I also mentioned that only down the road in the Mansion House, nearly 100 years ago, An Chéad Dáil met. The Irish State was founded that morning and it called on all free nations of the world to recognise it. The Palestinian people in their call to this Parliament and others around the world are echoing the call made by the Irish people in An Chéad Dáil on 21 January 1919. It is a very simple step which could be taken today. I hope the Minister of State will do this in his respone, to officially recognise the state of Palestine and send a message to these beleaguered people.

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Jimmy Deenihan)

The achievement of a sovereign Palestinian state, recognised not just by Ireland but by everyone, including Israel, has been a major foreign policy objective of the Government since it took office. It is something we seek to achieve in reality, not just in words, and all of the Government's actions in relation to the Middle East conflict are directed to that end. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, has repeatedly stressed at the Foreign Affairs Council the need to retain an EU focus on the issue of Palestine, notwithstanding the many other crises in the Middle East region and elsewhere. Only a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state existing alongside and in peace with Israel, can satisfy the needs of both peoples for security and prosperity.

Last year the Seanad and the Dáil passed motions which called on the Government to recognise Palestine and help to achieve a two-state solution. The Government did not oppose, or seek to amend, the motions that were calling for something towards which we were already working. There were similar motions in other European parliaments, prompted by the decision of Sweden in October to recognise Palestine. In Ireland, as in most countries, the recognition of sovereign states is a matter for decision by the Government. The views of the Oireachtas are, of course, a very important factor in that consideration. However, it remains for the Government and, in the first instance, the Minister to consider if this would be an appropriate step and, if so, when it might be best to take it.

With other Ministers, the Minister spoke in the Dáil debate last December, setting out in detail the Government's view on the issue. He stated clearly that, while successive Governments had always seen recognition as part of an overall peace agreement, he would have no difficulty with early recognition by Ireland if he felt it could be helpful to the situation, that is, to the effort to reach such a peace agreement. The statements made in that debate also set out, in more detail than I can do so today, the many and various factors which might be weighed in making that consideration. All of us know that recognition by Ireland would not of itself bring a Palestinian state into being. However, we need to consider not just the positive symbolic significance recognition might have for Palestinians but also the effect it might have on the Israeli side, where we seek to influence and persuade. We must also consider how it might affect Ireland's influence and voice on the issue both in the region and in international discussions, particularly at EU level, and any impact it might have on Ireland's ability to continue our work on the ground. There are potential downsides to be considered, as well as gains.

In terms of timing, clearly some events in the last year would have weighed on consideration as regards when might be the right moment for a decision to be made on recognition. They include the lengthy election and coalition-building process in Israel in the first half of the year and the continuing debate in the European Union on Middle East policy. More recently, the upsurge of violence in Jerusalem and elsewhere has to be considered. I do not for one moment suggest we can only act in the Middle East when the situation is calm, but a move now, just when violence has dramatically increased, could well be misread as a signal by either side or both sides. When the action under consideration is a symbolic gesture, timing is everything. The audience on which we are seeking to impact is in the region, not here. During that period also the Minister has visited Israel and the Palestinian territory. He has discussed the recognition question with some EU colleagues and the Palestinian Foreign Minister. It is also worth noting that no further EU partner has followed Sweden and recognised Palestine. The Minister is continuing to consider the question of early recognition by Ireland of the state of Palestine.

Deputy Seán Crowe

That is an appalling answer to what we are seeking. I do not see how the Minister of State can ignore the democratic will of this House. He says the final decision rests with the Minister, but the Minister's colleagues in both Houses have called for the recognition of Palestine. The Minister of State says the timing is not right, but when will it be right for the Palestinian people? It is a fair question, but does the Minister of State have an answer to it?

We were also told that the timing was wrong for the labelling of settlement goods. Eventually, however, after waiting for years, the matter has been recognised.

The Minister of State is concerned about the impact this might have on Israel. What about the impact it might have on Palestinians, who at the moment are under the heel of the Israeli defence forces, including those Palestinians who are under siege in Gaza and those Palestinians who are being tortured in terrible conditions in prisons across the Occupied Territories?

I want to see the Minister of State deliver a positive message. We have repeatedly asked the Government. The Minister of State has said there is no recognition, but what is the Government waiting for? Sweden has recognised, which has led to a reflection in all the EU states on the issue. The situation has got considerably worse in Palestine - any fool would accept that. The Israeli Government continues to flout international human rights law with impunity. Recognition of Palestine along the 1967 lines is the logical step now for all states committed to an equitable two-state solution.

If we truly want a lasting and sustainable peace in this region, we need to work swiftly to recognise the state of Palestine. That is what we are asking for. Pushing it off for another six months, two years or five years would mean Ireland playing no real role in trying to bring about a lasting peace in the region.

Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh

This is no reflection on the Minister of State, who is here to do a job, but it is a pity the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is not here. The original script the Minister of State was forced to read here was one of the most crawling speeches I have heard in this House. It seems to lay the blame for inaction on us. He said that we seek to achieve in reality, not just in words. When we tabled the motion in this House and in the Seanad we understood it was not empty words; we were looking for action from the Government on foot of a motion passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas.

The Minister of State asked if this was an appropriate step. It is always appropriate for an independent state to recognise another independent state, especially given that more than 70% of the UN countries have already done so. Not one person voted against those motions in these Houses. It is deplorable that no action has been taken. Even the recent action to deal with the issue of settlement goods was taken on foot of the EU and not by the Government despite a motion and calls from this side of the House and by me, not under this Government but under the previous one, for this State to take action. It has not done so because it always seems to want to wait until some other country takes action. In this case Deputy Crowe has mentioned the other countries that have taken action. They had the will to stand up against the Israelis and what they have done in that region for many years. I reiterate not only the content of the motion to which I have referred but also the call to immediately suspend the EU trade agreements, to expel the ambassador, to boycott settlement goods, and also to encourage Irish companies to disinvest from Israel and to impose the sanctions required. Those are the actions, not words, required.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

I remind Deputies Crowe and Ó Snodaigh that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and his Government colleagues are willing to move on early recognition of Palestine if it is concluded that it can be helpful and the time is right. The Minister made this very clear in last year's Dáil debate, when he outlined the factors that would guide that consideration. The Minister is continuing to consider the question carefully and I would be happy to advise him of the arguments advanced by the Deputies here today.

There is no disrespect for the views of the Oireachtas. The motions moved last year are clearly important factors to be considered, but this remains a decision for the Government, based on its assessment of the pros and cons of the issue and its timing.

Tourism Promotion

Deputy Billy Timmins

I am very supportive of the Wild Atlantic Way concept, which is a wonderful idea. I have often spoken about the advantages Ireland has as the western frontier of Europe. I do not know if Fáilte Ireland stole my idea or if great minds think alike, but I am glad it is in operation. I am also glad it used my initiative of the road less travelled, based on a small booklet I brought out years ago. It is a very good concept. When, therefore, I heard the announcement of the Ireland's Ancient East project I was very happy because I regarded it as a counterbalance project for the east of Ireland. It was well timed politically and I felt there would be something behind it. However, I have deep reservations based on what happened with a previous Fáilte Ireland initiative about driving routes between Kildare and Wicklow, and based on the absence of any real plan for the proposal.

I commend the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ring. I am glad to see him here and he has done an excellent job. He is a very creative and positive individual. I am willing to concede everything in his prepared speech. I do not doubt the increased tourism figures, notwithstanding many external factors, such as exchange rates and Ireland's success in golf, etc. I commend Fáilte Ireland and the Minister of State. I know the Minister of State is a pragmatic man and he will deal with issues as they appear before him. I want to deal with the issue of the Ireland's Ancient East project.

I have reservations because when there is something for everybody in the audience I get a little worried. When the project was launched a number of counties complained that they were not included. However, based on the details of the latest funding I see that Monaghan and Louth, which thought they had been excluded, are actually included. It does not seem to be driven by any concept or great plan. It is driven by allocating money to whoever puts in a project thereby taking pressure away from a political perception that only the west is getting funding for the Wild Atlantic Way and the rest of the country is being forgotten. The west has many good attractions and good luck to it. However, many tourists come to the east and they are attracted to the concept of the Wild Atlantic Way. We need something in the east to counterbalance that. We can agree on that.

However, I am not sure as to what is being proposed here. One of the earlier press releases referred to ancient Ireland, early Christian Ireland, medieval Ireland and Anglo Ireland. A hodgepodge of locations was included to cover every geographical area that could be covered, without any thread running through it. I represent Wicklow and east Carlow. From the north west of Wicklow down to Borris in Carlow we have some of the most outstanding Neolithic tombs and hill forts on the planet. However, I do not believe there was any reference to it initially. I have raised it a few times and there now has been some reference to it. This region has historic centres, including the Brusselstown ring and the dolmen at Haroldstown. That is what Ireland's Ancient East should be about.

I would like to see a plan for how we will market it and deal with it when the tourists arrive at the airport. We have seen a programme with regard to the signage on the M50. In Wicklow we have the monastic village of Glendalough but when one listens to the radio on a busy bank holiday Sunday one will hear the Garda issuing a warning to stay away from Glendalough owing to the dangers of too much traffic. There is one road in to the amenity. There are too many organisations involved, as with the Shannon, with everyone and no one responsible.

I would like to see a trust established in Glendalough. More important than the local politics, I would like to see a plan for the concept of what Ireland's Ancient East is about. I do not have confidence in that regard. I am not sure what is on the table in the first instance, indeed I do not think there is anything. I would like to hear the Minister of State elaborate on that. He might share his thoughts with me. I am willing to concede all the statistical information he will throw at me to project the very positive work he is doing. I acknowledge all that.

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Michael Ring)

I am delighted to hear what Deputy Timmins and Deputy Deenihan said. We have a lot of people claiming the Wild Atlantic Way but I wish to put on record that this Government put in the funding and instructed our agency, Fáilte Ireland, to make sure that happened. I have led the campaign myself. I am delighted that I am in that region.

When the Wild Atlantic Way was announced a lot of people said it would not work, that it was another idea nobody would do anything about. I went to public meetings where people said it would not work and that it would not deliver anything to the west. The Wild Atlantic Way has been the greatest initiative that has ever happened to the west. It starts in west Cork, goes into Clare, Galway, Leitrim, Sligo and Mayo. It has gone into areas where tourists had not gone for many years. People have discovered areas they never knew anything about.

The one bit of advice I will give to Deputy Timmins and the tourism sector in his area is that if people want to support Ireland’s Ancient East they must buy into it. If they do not sell it and the people in the tourism sector do not sell it, it will not work. They must get involved.

I will turn to the scripted reply now but I wished to give Deputy Timmins my response first. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue with me. Tourism has been a priority for this Government from the outset. We have long recognised the contribution of overseas tourism to the Irish economy. That is why we continue to invest in tourism marketing and in supporting our tourism businesses to enhance their competitiveness. Our policies on air travel tax and VAT have helped to improve the value on offer for our visitors.

I welcome the opportunity to advise the House with regard to the new tourism experience brand, Ireland's Ancient East, which is being developed by Fáilte Ireland and which will capitalise on the wealth of history and culture that abounds in the east and south of Ireland. It is a series of attractive clusters of places to visit, linking some of our most iconic sites like Newgrange and the Boyne Valley in the north east, through the midlands, along Kilkenny's Medieval Mile to Waterford's Viking Quarter and Cork's many cultural gems. For visitors, it is a journey through 5,000 years of history in 500 miles. Its development is part of a larger strategic approach in which our tourism offering is tailored to appeal to consumer segments that research has indicated are most likely to select Ireland as a visitor destination. Ireland's Ancient East will appeal in particular to the culturally curious audience in overseas markets. These are independent, active sightseers, who are typically looking to visit new places and expand their experience by exploring landscapes, history and culture.

In terms of the overseas marketing of Ireland's Ancient East, this is the operational responsibility of Tourism Ireland. In recent months, Tourism Ireland, working in close collaboration with Fáilte Ireland, has been developing marketing material on Ireland's Ancient East for its 2016 overseas marketing campaigns and for the lreland.com suite of websites for international markets. Ireland's Ancient East launches have already taken place overseas, including at Tourism Ireland events in the United States, France, Italy and at the World Travel Market in London. Tourism Ireland will highlight Ireland's Ancient East experience in key markets through publicity, media and trade visits, social media, digital marketing activity and briefings for the travel trade.

Earlier this week, the Minister, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, and I were delighted to announce further funding of €1 million to Ireland's Ancient East, which will ensure that we maintain the momentum of this initiative and build on the impressive tourism assets we have in the east and south of the country. As this project evolves and grows, I am confident that it will be a perfect complement to the Wild Atlantic Way in the west and that it will generate significant additional visitors, revenue and tourism jobs in the east.

Deputy Billy Timmins

I did not raise the issue because Wicklow is not included in this round of funding. I am pleased to see the Blackstairs project in Carlow got funding. That is fantastic. County Carlow is beautiful. It is unheralded and unknown by many as a tourism destination but it is very attractive, for example, the Barrow Valley in the St. Mullins area.

The statement on tourism issued by the Ministers in recent days outlined that the next round of funding in Ireland’s Ancient East project would go to the roll-out of signage. I heard that before in the context of the driving routes which gives me cause for concern. In my county there is signage for the Excalibur Way and the Michael Collins Way. There is signage everywhere but it leads nowhere.

I am concerned that we do not have a concept of Ireland’s Ancient East. The Minister of State indicated that it is important that the stakeholders buy into the project. I agree. However, one cannot buy a pig in a poke. I work with excellent staff and since I came into the Chamber I got a copy of a local free newspaper, the Wicklow Voice, for tomorrow, 17 December. It has not even been published yet. In it the chairman of Wicklow Tourism, Mr. Noel Keyes, states he has attended numerous meetings on the initiative and he is unclear what Fáilte Ireland is doing and what the initiative is about. He has a vested interest in trying to get the project going. A group under his chairmanship has led several local projects and it is putting in a great effort on a very limited budget in order to try to buy into every project. I have much affection for the west and I also have a lot of affection for Cork, a nice and fine county. I noticed three locations in Cork had received funding earlier in the week. The Minister of State will never convince me that we will see a Cork man wearing a Leinster jersey. I would not say anyone from Cork would claim to be from the east. Let us stop trying to encompass everybody. There should be projects for every area but if we want to make Ireland’s Ancient East concept work let us concentrate on that and not just have a pot of funding that goes to everybody from Monaghan to where the Wild Atlantic Way stops in Kinsale.

Deputy Michael Ring

I again thank Deputy Timmins for raising this issue. He mentioned signage and the variety of projects that exist. The one thing that is needed is signage. Surveys show that when people come to this country they want to see a new product and new things happening. Ireland’s Ancient East initiative will work but it will take time to develop it. It was the same with the Wild Atlantic Way; people felt initially that it would not work but now everybody is buying into it and they see the benefits.

Deputy Timmins inquired about overseas marketing. This year we invested an extra €1 million in order to attract people to Ireland’s Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way and to try to get them into the regions. We work with the airports and the ferry companies to try to encourage people to come to this country and to go to rural Ireland. That is the whole point; to try to get them to see what we have.

Last year more than €35 million was spent by the Government on the promotion of this country abroad. Another €1 million was spent in regional and co-operative marketing and that was matched by funding from some local authorities to support the initiatives and to try to get people to come to this country. They also worked with the airlines. The travel tax has been a benefit. The Government reduced the travel tax from 3% to zero and the VAT rate was reduced from 13.5% to 9%.

Deputy Timmins adverted to the situation and it is important to spell it out. We are a small country and this year we had approximately 7.5 million visitors, a 13% increase, for the first ten months of this year. We hope we can reach 8 million. The plan for the next couple of years is to increase the number to 10 million. The 7.5 million visitors have generated revenue of €3.75 billion into the country and we want to increase that to €5 billion. A total of 205,000 are employed in tourism and we want to increase the number to 250,000 by 2010. Jobs can be created in the area but we must attract people into the country. I urge all the tourism bodies in Ireland’s Ancient East to buy into the initiative, sell it and work with it. To be fair to the Government and Fáilte Ireland, we allocated the funding last week and it has spread into the region in order to get the facilities in place so that people will visit and will stay longer. It is a different segment of the market. The Wild Atlantic Way is one proposition. Ireland’s Ancient East is another proposition and Dublin is another market.

We are trying to bring people to every corner of the country and we have had great success. I compliment Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and everybody involved in the trade, in particular the trade itself. Sometimes we forget that many people make major investments in tourism with their own money and take major risks. They should be rewarded, helped and supported because they create badly wanted jobs. Because they are Irish jobs created by Irish people sometimes we do not have the same respect as if they were multinational companies.

Health Care Professionals

Deputy John Browne

The Minister of State and other Members of the House will have received many representations on protecting the public by protecting the titles of "physiotherapist" and "physical therapist" in one register under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act. I understand the Minister for Health will make a final decision on the matter in the coming weeks. The proposal has been recommended to him by the State regulator, the Physiotherapists Registration Board, and is also strongly supported by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, the professional body for physiotherapists-physical therapists in Ireland, which has more than 3,300 members. Support for the protection of both titles has come from many reputable bodies, including the Irish Medical Organisation; the Irish Hospital Consultants Association; the Irish College of General Practitioners; the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; and the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland; Trinity College Dublin and the Univeristy of Limerick; the deans of medical facilities; the Irish Patients Association; IMPACT; the Federation of Voluntary Bodies; regulatory bodies around the world, including Canada, America, New Zealand, Australia and, importantly, the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland; and the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, the world professional body, where the two titles are interchangeable and considered the sole preserve of the physiotherapy profession.

The strong view is that the implementation of this proposal would maximise protection and eliminate the current widespread public confusion. The Health and Social Care Professional Act sets out to protect the titles of 14 health professionals and the title of "physiotherapist" is protected. The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists believes it is imperative, for a number of valid and compelling reasons that I will outline, a second title of "physical therapist" also gains protection under the legislation.

In the United Kingdom and internationally the title "physical therapist" is synonymous with "physiotherapist" and the titles are, therefore, interchangeable. The difficulty is that a group of people in Ireland have adopted the title "physical therapist". While this group enters into practice after the completion of short part-time courses, varying in length from six to 15 months to three years, physiotherapists, on the other hand, undertake a full-time four-year professional university degree course, with provision for a postgraduate follow-up degree. This leads to considerable confusion since neither the public sports organisations nor many other individuals and groups related to health professions in the country are aware of the fact that physiotherapists and physical therapists and the level of services provided by each are completely different.

This is not a livelihood issue or about having to stop practising, rather it is about changing the title in order that physical therapists and physiotherapists would mean the same and to take away the confusion caused for the public. The titles mean the same all over the world except in Ireland. It is time that they also mean the same here.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and apologise for the absence of the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar.

Protection of title is a core function of the Health and Social Care Professionals Council. It is vital that when people access health services that there be no ambiguity about the profession and the competence of the health service provider they are attending. The system of statutory regulation of the professions designated under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 comprises registration boards for the professions, a committee structure to deal with disciplinary matters and a Health and Social Care Professionals Council with overall responsibility for the regulatory system. These bodies are collectively known as CORU and responsible for protecting the public by regulating the 14 professions designated under the Act.

Regulation under the Act is primarily by way of the statutory protection of professional titles by confining their use solely to persons granted registration. The Act provides for a two-year transitional or "grand-parenting" period from the date of the establishment of the register during which existing practitioners must register on the basis of specified qualifications. After this period, only registrants of a registration board who will be subject to the Act's regulatory regime will be entitled to use the relevant protected title.

The Physiotherapists Registration Board is finalising its drafting of the by-laws necessary for the establishment of its register early next year. This means that by early 2018 only registrants of the Physiotherapists Registration Board will be entitled to use the title of "physiotherapist". In other English speaking nations physiotherapists regularly use the title of "physical therapist" interchangeably with that of "physiotherapist". In Ireland, however, for the past 25 years or so and in the absence of State regulation and title protection, the title of "physical therapist" has been used by providers of musculoskeletal therapies in the private sector who are not physiotherapists.

Concerns have been raised that the use of the title of "physical therapist" by practitioners who are not physiotherapists is causing confusion and could lead to patient safety risks. The concern is that doctors and their patients and people who are self-referring might view both titles as interchangeable and think they are being treated by qualified physiotherapists when they are not. The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists has been seeking for some time to have use of the title of "physical therapist" also protected for the exclusive use for registrants when the two-year transitional period ends.

Towards the end of last year, in accordance with the legislation, the Minister consulted the Physiotherapists Registration Board about options to address this issue. Having considered the board's detailed response, he wrote to other interested organisations seeking their views on the proposal to make a regulation, to come into effect after an appropriate lead-in time, to protect the title of "physical therapist". Several submissions have been received and they are being reviewed in the Department. The key issue is to ensure public protection. This will not be compromised when the Minister appropriately addresses the concerns and legitimate interests of the other parties involved. It is hoped to progress the matter very shortly.

Deputy John Browne

I thank the Minister of State for his reply and respect the fact that the Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar, consulted the different organisations and the relevant bodies and that the matter is now with the Department for a final decision. The people who have contacted me and many other Deputies are anxious that the Minister make the decision before the Government falls, which may happen in the very near future. The Minister is the darling of the media and will probably be re-elected, but he might not be Minister for Health. It is important before he leaves office that he sign off on the regulations as sought by physiotherapists and that he do this as quickly as possible.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

This may be the Deputy's last contribution in this Dáil, given that he is not seeking re-election.

Deputy John Browne

It could happen.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan

I will certainly convey his sentiments to the Minister. This is an issue about which I have spoken in the past and in which I have an interest. I appreciate the fact that the Deputy has raised it in the House and received some clarification on it. I will convey his concerns to the Minister.