Vol. 440 No. 7
19 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he will establish an inter-departmental facilitation committee to ensure that all Government policy in the future will acknowledge and be sensitive to the special position of tourism in view of its major potential for job creation over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
One of the tasks of the Department is to liaise with other Departments in order to influence the formulation of their policies which impact on tourism. I am satisfied that the arrangements which operate at present, both formal and informal, are adequate and effective. I consider that a committee, as proposed by the Deputy, would simply involve an additional, and unnecessary, layer of bureaucracy.
Would the Minister agree that there is overlap in certain areas, for example, tourism, crime, sign posting, sanitary facilities, etc? Fragmentation of services gives rise to problems and we should go forward in an integrated fashion. There would be merit in having within the Tourism Council members from different Departments who would make a direct input to tourism.
The purpose of the Tourism Council is to bring together in a co-ordinated way the various agencies and public bodies involved in the industry. My Department is represented on the various committees of other Departments which have to do with tourism related matters. A proposed Bill is being brought before the Cabinet and observations are requested on it. It is necessary that the various Departments and State agencies act in a co-ordinated and cooperative way to get over the problems raised by the Deputy.
In order to capitalise on and exploit our tourism potential we must have a more focused attitude. Surely the lack of co-ordination that is evident in, for example, carrying out public works in a tourist resort in the middle of the season affects the industry. There are several areas where there is overlap and a committee such as the one I am recommending could deal with those problems. They already operate in other countries.
At national level the plans we have put in train are all right. The Tourism Council fulfils many of the functions the Deputy mentioned. There could be co-operation between the local authorities and the industry to ensure road works are not carried out at a sensitive time. The county tourism committees which I set up could deal with such matters. The structures that are in place should meet the problems raised by the Deputy.
20 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the proposals or plans, if any, he has to set up a one stop user friendly office to promote locations for tourists to visit, to deal with all queries from tourists, advise on travel facilities in Ireland and deal with any complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The tourist information office network which is administered by the regional tourism organisations fulfill a vital servicing role by offering to tourists a range of information services related to visitor holiday needs. The role of the "user friendly offices", as envisaged by the Deputy, appears to be consistent with the activities already undertaken by the tourist information offices and, in the circumstances, new structures are considered unnecessary.
Would the Minister consider broadening the remit of the tourist information offices? One potential area for development is genealogy and ancestry. There are supposed to be 40 million Americans of Irish ancestry. There are eight million people in the UK who were born here. I was recently in Des Moines in Iowa for the St. Patrick's Day celebrations and met a number of people who were proud to claim Irish ancestry. We should broaden the scope of the office that aspect. There are many unemployed people with PhDs and MAs who would be delighted to offer their range of expertise to these offices.
There is a growing market for that type of tourist. I see considerable merit in what the Deputy has put forward and will take it up with the regional tourism organisations and see if we can exploit the potential. There are organisations who bring such tourists to Ireland and usually they know the places they want to visit. It is a good idea and something which we will follow up.
Will the Minister agree that there is need to improve the technology in many Bord Fáilte offices? Due to lack of departmental funding they are unable to do so. Would he agree that Bord Fáilte should sell Ireland through the process of interactive technology which is now popular in America and other countries selling tourism as a product?
The Gulliver information system will be operational shortly in all regional tourism offices and people will be able to book into hotels and so on from the tourist office. I am aware of the type of technology the Deputy has mentioned and many private operators are exploiting it and making money. I do not know whether the tourist offices have missed the boat.
