I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 9, 12, 27 and 54 together.
I refer Deputies to the lengthy reply I gave to Questions Nos. 17, 26, 37, 48, 50 and 224 on 27 February 1996 concerning the implications for tourism of the breakdown in the ceasefire. Monitoring since then indicates that the situation has not changed significantly from that described in my February response. We are now in the key holiday booking period and response levels to the various campaigns being operated by the Overseas Tourism Marketing Initiative, Bord Fáilte and others are holding up well. Bord Fáilte continues to monitor the situation within the various markets with key carriers, tour operators and product suppliers, as well as in Ireland through the regional tourism organisations. The situation will be kept under close review.
Regarding the Ulster marching season, the Deputy will understand that this is something over which I have no direct control. The only comment I would make is that overall strategy in relation to promotion and marketing will continue to be to highlight the many and varied attractions of holidaying in Ireland.
In addition to meeting the chairman and chief executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on many occasions, as well as industry representatives, I have met the Minister for the Economy in Northern Ireland, Baroness Denton, on several occasions recently in order to build on progress to date in the area of trade and tourism promotion on an all-Ireland basis. Most recently I met her at a joint Bord Fáilte-Northern Ireland Tourist Board workshop in London on 15 February and in New York on 11 March at the Top 100 Irish-American Awards Ceremony to honour President Clinton as US Irishman of the year. I look forward to continuing these meetings with Baroness Denton which are not only very useful from the trade and tourism promotion point of view but also provide the opportunity to review developments in all areas of mutual interest. I will join with her later this month in advancing a special joint North-South trade and investment initiative.