Vol. 426 No. 7
226 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade his views on whether five year plans and targets address the need for a more long term national tourism strategy; and if he will, as a matter of priority, commission a long term national tourism plan of this type.
The current five year plan for tourism expires this year. I am at present examining proposals from a number of representative bodies, tourism agencies and the recent report of the Tourism Task Force on the future development of Irish tourism. This work is being done as part of the preparation of a new plan for the sector up to the end of 1977 and among its priorities will be the achievement of Government growth targets as set out in the Programme for Partnership Government.
The next tourism plan will again take account of the role to be played by EC Structural Funds in tourism development. It will also have regard to more long term strategic objectives for Irish tourism and to the furtherance of such objectives.
