Vol. 465 No. 6
12 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the locations, if any, he has identified as coming under development or other pressure in view of tourism-related activities; if so, the locations involved; and the action, if any, he is taking in this respect. [10230/96]
The strong and substantial growth in tourism in recent years has led to reports of capacity problems during the peak season at some of the more popular tourist sites. The overall management of tourism flows is a matter primarily for the regional tourism authorities. The regional tourism organisations, and SFADCo in the case of the mid-west, working closely with local tourism operators, and through their respective tourist information networks, play a critical role in maximising visitor awareness of the range and accessibility of attractions within their respective regions.
This approach has been fully supported by the EU Operational Programme for Tourism 1989-93, a feature of which was the extent to which it achieved a good regional spread of investment and helped to build the tourism industry right across the country.
This is expected to continue under the current Operational Programme which covers the period 1994-99. The latter programme also aims to concentrate a significant proportion of growth in the shoulder and off-peak period, that is outside the July-August period. Grant assistance for marketing activities is weighted in favour of projects that aim to achieve this objective, while all tourism projects assisted under the programme are required to comply with the best environmental standards.
In general, as I will indicate in a separate reply to Deputy Dermot Ahern, a balance must be struck between tourism development and preservation of the environment. Ideally, the objective is to encourage investment which will facilitate enhancement of the physical environment and economic development while at the same time assisting the preservation of the historical and architectural heritage of cities and towns in a manner of interest to both the domestic and foreign visitor.
As part of our policy to expand the range and accessibility of tourist attractions, the programme is also being complemented by planned investment under other EU co-funded programmes, for example, on directional signposting, improvements to certain key strategic tourism roads outside the national primary road system, improvements to sanitary services affecting or adjacent to important tourist areas and urban renewal projects.
The Minister said the efforts of Bord Fáilte and his Department are aimed at encouraging people, through marketing and other means, to move away from areas perceived to be under pressure of one kind or another. Has any person or group within his Department or Bord Fáilte been charged with responsibility for establishing the locations coming under development pressure as a result of the number of tourists visiting them; in other words, is anyone liaising with local authorities on this issue? There is a concern on one side that spurious claims are made about pressure being put on the environment, but there is also a very real and justified fear that development and tourism pressure will damage the key areas we are trying to preserve. Has anyone been charged with responsibility for checking these locations and can we be assured that action is being taken?
The overall management of tourism flows is the responsibility of the regional tourism organisations which work on the ground and know the likely threat to the environment in all tourism locations.
Does the Minister have power to intervene if the regional tourism organisations or other groups show that an area is coming under undesirable pressure and, if not, will he introduce legislation to give him that power?
The Minister has ultimate responsibility in this area and he will take appropriate action as necessary.
Will the Minister of State raise the matter with the Minister?
Certainly.
