Written Answers Nos. 318-328
318. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason, despite the primary licensing organisation, An Garda Síochána, and the carriage office issuing a renewal licence the National Transport Authority is taking upwards of 90 days to process the photographic licence on display to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15469/13]
View answerThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including issues relating to the SPSV driver identification, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009. I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which hotel bed accommodation fluctuated in each of the past five years to date; the degree to which future requirements are likely to be met in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15547/13]
View answerComprehensive data on hotel accommodation capacity and occupancy are contained in the Tourism Facts bulletins for the relevant years which are available in the Research section of the Fáilte Ireland website, http://www.failteireland.ie/Research-Insights.aspx. The bulletin for 2012 is not yet available but at March 2012 there were 856 hotels registered in Ireland with a total of 57,859 rooms and 135,011 beds. Fáilte Ireland's accommodation occupancy statistics for the period January to September 2012, also available on the website, show hotel occupancy rates of 64%, an increase of 5% on the same period in 2011. Hotel room capacity fell by 3% between 2011 and 2012.
These statistics indicate that we have a sufficient stock of hotel rooms for the coming years and indeed Fáilte Ireland had previously estimated that there will be an overcapacity of approximately 7,000 rooms in 2015, based on overseas visitor numbers returning to 2008 levels.
322. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the interlinking of air transport and tourism facilities can be achieved with a view to maximising potential growth of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15548/13]
View answer323. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the interlinking of air transport and tourism facilities may be achieved with a view to maximising potential growth of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15549/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 322 and 323 together.
Developing more air services from Ireland to global destinations and bringing more tourists from overseas are two of the key policies set out in the Government’s 2013 Action Plan for Jobs. From a regulatory perspective my Department aims to ensure that there are no legal or regulatory impediments to the introduction of air services by negotiating bilateral air services agreements with third countries where necessary. The market for air services in and out of Ireland is highly competitive with a very significant number of airlines operating.
Tourism Ireland, the agency with responsibility for the overseas promotion of Ireland as a tourist destination, continues to invest in cooperative marketing activity with airlines. Additional capacity has been secured between Ireland and the US and current indications are that transatlantic capacity for summer 2013 will be higher than summer 2012, with up to 133 departures per week, providing just over 31,000 seats in each direction. This represents a 26.6% increase in capacity, or just over 6,500 additional seats per week, compared to summer 2012. Furthermore additional connectivity direct from Dublin has been achieved through Emirates’ hub in Dubai which provides greater ease of access to Ireland from Australia as well as the emerging tourism markets in the Middle East and Asia.
I will continue to act as a champion for improved air access to Ireland, be it increased capacity on existing routes or the development of new routes. Negotiations are ongoing with a number of carriers for additional capacity linked both to general traffic demand and the increased traffic expected over the course of ‘The Gathering Ireland 2013’.
325. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will to outline the mission statement of his Department in respect of Tourism, Transport and Sport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15551/13]
View answerThe Mission Statement of my Department is: "To ensure that the transport, tourism and sport sectors make the greatest possible contribution to economic recovery, fiscal consolidation, job creation and social development."
This Mission Statement is set out in the Department's current Statement of Strategy and 2011 Annual Report, both of which are available from the Oireachtas Library and from my Department's Website.
326. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which existing ferry services are adequate to meet demand; his preferred options for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15552/13]
View answerThe Deputy asked me a similar question in February 2013. Ireland is well serviced in terms of ferry connectivity as the market offers a diverse range of viable maritime links in and out of the State. This is vital to facilitate trade and tourism. There are currently six shipping lines providing passenger services, with approximately 500 sailings weekly between Ireland and Britain and continental Europe, depending on the time of year. All ferry companies servicing these routes are commercial companies and, as such, their services are market driven.
Competition in the sector is encouraged and I expect services to develop and expand to meet any increased market demands in the future. In the past, ferry operators have responded to market developments and demands for increased capacity when required, as shown in their response to the Volcanic Ash crisis in 2010. My Department through its agency, the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), works closely with all existing operators and continues to promote Ireland as a location for new services.
As the Deputy will be aware, this is a particularly important year for Irish tourism with The Gathering Ireland 2013 now underway and over 3,000 individual gatherings confirmed on the Gathering website. The overall target is to attract at least 325,000 extra overseas visits to Ireland in 2013. Tourism Ireland continues to mount a major consumer campaign to promote The Gathering to people overseas that feel linked by family, friends or otherwise with Ireland. In this regard the agency is undertaking cooperative activity with the major airlines and ferry operators to highlight the value fares that are on offer. This activity will continue throughout 2013.
327. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it is planned to maximise opportunities for tourism and the promotion of the national image through sport and sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15553/13]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational one for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if a reply is not received within ten working days.
