Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2006
9 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether the Transport 21 plan will only serve to increase the imbalance between tourism figures in the east contrasted with those in the west in view of a greater focus by the Transport 21 plan on eastern tourist regions and especially Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2498/06]
View answer10 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the efforts to increase levels of tourism to the regions; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that certain rural areas remain underdeveloped in terms of tourism infrastructure; the efforts being made to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2514/06]
View answer19 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the action his Department will take if the study into the effects Transport 21 will have in tourism suggests a negative effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2497/06]
View answer22 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to a report, whereby figures show that tourism is 275% more important to the west of Ireland than to the Dublin region; if, in view of same he has been in contact with tourism groups in the region regarding increased funding; if recommendations will be made to have an alternative strategy to promoting the region looked at in view of the continuing decrease in tourism numbers; if funding will be increased for tourism promotion and application in the region; if declining figures suggest that previous initiatives have been a success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2494/06]
View answer23 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether the construction involved in the Transport 21 plan and the disruption created by same over the coming decade will end up annulling the benefits from the Ryder Cup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2502/06]
View answer28 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the position regarding the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on RTAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2436/06]
View answer35 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if studies into the effect of Transport 21 will have on tourism have begun; his views on whether the plan will have a negative effect on tourism during the period it is being implemented; when the study is set to be finished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2496/06]
View answer76 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if advice was offered or instructions given regarding tourism policy for the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2727/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 10, 19, 22, 23, 28, 35 and 76 together.
I refer the Deputies to my response to Priority Question No. 5 of today in which I set out the policy and programme measures in place to achieve a wider spread of tourism business.
As the Deputies are aware, the Minister for Transport has primary responsibility for the Transport 21 initiative. Its launch in November 2005, with a ten year budget line of €34 billion — the most significant transport investment programme ever — marks an important milestone on the path to delivery of a transport infrastructure throughout the country commensurate with the level and pace of economic and demographic growth in Ireland today.
The plan addresses many of the issues of importance to tourism raised in the New Horizons report of the tourism policy review group. These include the upgrading of specific national, regional, sub-regional and urban orbital routes of importance to tourism, the upgrading of bus and rail services and amenities to facilitate regional tourism development and the development of a Dublin Airport metro link.
Tourism should benefit greatly from this plan and it has been already welcomed by the key industry groups. Its orderly implementation over time will make a significant difference to tourism development and narrow the competitiveness gap that currently exists as regards our internal transport infrastructure.
