Vol. 433 No. 2
11 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade whether he has had or intends to have meetings with his Northern Ireland counterpart in relation to the development of an all-Ireland approach to tourism; and if he will give Government policy in this regard.
I met with Mr. Robert Atkins, MP, Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office, to consider tourism issues at the meeting of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference last March. We agreed that cross-Border co-operation in this area could result in considerable mutual economic and community benefit. It is the policy of this Government that co-operation should be directed in particular towards activities and markets which generate new business, and should be mutually advantageous to both North and South.
The relevant tourism authorities, North and South, are currently working jointly on a number of tourism developments including the development of an all-Ireland computerised reservations system, the restoration and marketing of the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell canal and the development of the north-west passage — a new touring route between Dublin and the north west.
Since our March meeting, I have asked Bord Fáilte to examine in addition, the feasibility of further cross-Border initiatives in marketing and development of all-Ireland guide books and trails, and I have asked CERT to pursue areas for further training co-operation. I hope to review progress again with Minister Atkins before year end.
It appears from the Minister's response that progress has been made and I welcome it. When the Minister sets up the new tourism council will he consider including representatives from the North? This would be a very convenient way of encompassing the tourism sector in the North in the broader picture. Is it possible to include the Northern Ireland Tourist Board in all our tourist literature and stands abroad? Does he agree that it is better to sell the island of Ireland as a whole rather than just the Twenty-six Counties and that it is easier to create a brand image of the country as a whole?
When setting up the new tourism council I will certainly bear in mind the possibility of having a representative from the Northern Ireland tourism association. We have made progress in promoting an image of Ireland as the island of Ireland. Earlier this year at the international tourist fair in Berlin, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Bord Fáilte were represented on the same stand and part of the cost of this venture would have been partially met from the International Fund for Ireland. This is the second year that has occurred and it is the intention to co-operate on an all-Ireland basis. We will have an all-Ireland tourist and hotel guide.
In May of next year the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell canal will open and people will be able to see evidence of cross-Border co-operation. Together with my counterpart, Mr. Atkins, in the Northern Ireland office and our respective agencies, we hope to develop co-operation in the coming months and years.
I am delighted that the Minister is adopting this approach. I made the point in the previous question that we need to market the country as a whole internationally. In relation to domestic tourism, does he agree that there is greater potential in encouraging southerners to go North and northerners to come South on holidays? Many northerners go to Donegal but they do not tend to come further South. Has the Minister any plans, in conjunction with his counterpart in Northern Ireland, to organise awareness and promotional campaigns in both directions? It would not only be good for tourism on both parts of the island but equally it would be very good from a political point of view if people were to visit and get to know each other.
I have not discussed this with Mr. Atkins but it is a very good idea. As the Deputy rightly pointed out, apart from the Northern Ireland people who visit Donegal, few come South and the ratio of people from the South going to the North on holidays in infinitesimally small. I do not have the exact figures but from the statistics I have seen over the years it is a very small figure. Deputy Harney's suggestion is good and I will take it up with the Department.
