Vol. 445 No. 6
57 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the measures, if any, which Bord Fáilte and his Department are taking to attract more tourists from the Asia/Pacific region in view of the fact that this region is expected to provide 40 per cent of world travel and tourism by the year 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [126/94]
The Asia-Pacific region is expected to yield massive tourism and travel business in the future. Bord Fáilte has staff representation in Australia, which also includes coverage of New Zealand. There is active involvement with the major carriers and travel trade there. The successful introduction of common-rating fares from Australia has been a major factor in increasing business. As part of the special tourism promotion and development fund £100,000 was made available to Bord Fáilte for extra promotion of Ireland in Australia.
Bord Fáilte and Aer Lingus are actively working in the Japanese market through one of Japan's leading tour wholesalers. Another additional £100,000 was allocated to help promote this market. Singapore, Malaysia and Korea are also being targeted for future growth. The London, Paris and Frankfurt gateways will play key roles in promotional efforts to attract future business from South East Asia.
Is the Minister aware or concerned about our poor performance in Japan? In 1933, for example, whereas we attracted 18,000 visitors from Japan. Great Britain attracted 468,000. Is the Minister further aware that we have no one to promote this country in Taiwan which enjoys close links with this country and with many Members of the House?
That is also the subject of a separate question. I have a limited amount of money available and it is not possible for Bord Fáilte to be represented all over the world. We have to concentrate on specific markets. There is growth in tourism from that region. In the past two years we entered a new arrangement with a tour operator in that region and it proved very successful. In the past three years the number of visitors who came to Ireland directly from Japan more than doubled, admittedly from a small base. In 1994 in excess of 20,000 will visit this country from Japan. It will be part of our new strategy to ensure that visitors from Japan to Europe will find themselves in a position to visit Ireland. We are applying the technique of common fare ratings, the subject of a separate question, to attract the vast numbers who come from that region to Dublin at no extra cost. With the best will in the world it will not be possible for us to be represented around the globe but there will be growth in tourism from the Asia-Pacific region and many other areas also in the years to come and we have increased our representation there. I intend to make other changes in the near future.
Does the Minister hope to visit it?
I have been there on a number of occasions.
Is the Minister aware that prople from this region who wish to visit Ireland find it difficult to obtain a visitor's visa?
I am not aware of the countries to which the Deputy refers but if he gives me specific examples I will take the matter up with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Justice.
Surely the Minister recalls that this matter was raised with him at a meeting of the committee.
Should Deputy Molloy have specific cases, I will take them up.
During the debate on his Department's Estimate it was stated that one of the Irish consuls in this region had brought this matter to the attention of an Irish delegation, who personally reported it to the Minister. Obviously the Minister has taken no action since then in the matter.
The Deputy knows from his vast experience that visas and related matters are dealt with primarily by the Department of Justice and other considerations are taken into account.
Why is the Minister kicking to touch?
We have had some interesting debates on visas and other matters and we have spoken about the matter on various occasions.
The Minister is waffling.
As this region is within one of the fastest growing areas, we hope to get out fair share of visitors.
On a point of order, Sir, I want to draw your attention to Article 30.2. of Bunreacht na hÉireann which provides that the Attorney General shall be appointed by the President on the nomination of the Taoiseach.
That is a wide-ranging matter.
I will not raise any wide-ranging matters. As I understand it, the Taoiseach is responsible to the House for any such nomination and I am somewhat confused as to why in a letter from the Ceann Comhairle in response to a parliamentary question tabled by me I have been told the Taoiseach is not officially responsible to the Dáil for such appointments.
I am now coming to deal with Private Notice Questions.
I am trying to raise whether the Taoiseach plans to appoint a new Attorney General.
The Deputy may raise that at another time.
I am somewhat bemused as to why I am being told——
If the Deputy is in dispute with the Chair, he has a remedy for dealing with it, but not now.
This seems to fly in the face of what is specifically contained in the Constitution which governs this State.
Let us now come to deal with Private Notice Questions to the Minister for Justice.
