Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
849. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a representative of an organisation (details supplied) will be appointed to the tourism recovery taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9690/20]
View answer900. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will include a representative from an organisation (details supplied) on the tourism recovery taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8726/20]
View answer914. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the tourism recovery taskforce membership and whether an organisation (details supplied) should have a representative on it to ensure the voice of the transport aspect of tourism is heard. [8793/20]
View answer929. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a representative of an organisation (details supplied) will be appointed to the tourism recovery taskforce to ensure the voice of the transport aspect of tourism is heard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8987/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 849, 900, 914 and 929 together.
The Tourism Recovery Taskforce was established by Minister of State Brendan Griffin and I on 20 May 2020. The purpose of the Taskforce is to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan for submission to the Ministers which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The plan will identify priority aims, key enablers and market opportunities for the sector for the period 2020-2023. The Taskforce may consult with stakeholders to inform its deliberations and will report back later this year.
The Taskforce is made up of an independent chairperson and 13 other members from a broad spectrum of backgrounds including tourism policy, tourism enterprise, international, private and public service. The Minister of State and I selected members on the basis of each person's capacity to bring his/her personal knowledge, skills, experience, competence, capability, strategic leadership and ideas to the work of the group. We have appointed individuals who, together, will work for the good of Irish Tourism as a whole. I can assure the Deputy that in the same manner that no sector was deliberately included, no sector was deliberately excluded.
It is envisaged that the Taskforce will establish working groups to carry out specific tasks and that the Taskforce will undertake a widespread stakeholder consultation process whereby all sectors and interested parties will have an opportunity to provide constructive inputs and innovative ideas on how this vital sector to our economy can adapt and recover in a meaningful and sustainable way. The CTTC will have an opportunity to contribute to the work of the Taskforce in this way.
I should also point out that in addition to the Tourism Recovery Taskforce, there are other fora whereby tourism stakeholders, including representatives from the coach sector, can contribute. Representatives from the sector have been invited to participate in Fáilte Ireland’s Covid Advisory Group which meets on a weekly basis. Furthermore, officials on the Transport side in my Department are in regular contact with the CTTC in the context of the difficulties its members are facing as a result of the Covid crisis.
