Vol. 467 No. 4
11 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he will establish an independent review group to consider a stand-alone Department of Tourism; his views on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13634/96]
Article 28 of the Constitution states that "the Government shall consist of not less than seven and not more than fifteen members who shall be appointment by the President in accordance with the provisions of [the] Constitution". It is a matter for the Taoiseach of the day — not an independent review group — to decide on the allocation of functions among members of the Government within the constraints imposed by the Constitution.
Clearly, it would not be possible to have a stand-alone department for every area of economic activity. Combining the tourism and trade sectors in one department means that both can be tightly focused on aggressively seeking and delivering real and significant improvement in this country's foreign earnings and job creation.
Will the Minister agree that many of the issues dealt with by the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht also come within the ambit of the Department of the Marine? Will the Minister further agree that because tourism has become such a huge money earner it is time it was dealt with by one Department? So far as the Constitution is concerned I presume that the Minister is referring to is that it is for the Taoiseach to decide after the next election if there should be a stand alone Department.
With the prospect of 4.5 million visitors this year, it will not be long before the tourism industry is bigger than agriculture. Does the Minister agree it is time to at least consider the possibility of a stand alone department for tourism and that trade should be sidelined to another Department?
Deputy Andrews was a member of the Government that set up the Department of Tourism and Trade in 1993 and it has been a great success. There are 31 personnel dealing with tourism matters in the Department, staff in the personnel section, the finance unit and the press office cover the entire Department. Trade and tourism have a common element. Both sectors can be aggressive seekers and deliverers of real and significant improvement in the country's foreign earnings and, consequently, create jobs. This is the first time both sectors have been combined in a single Department where their potential can be pursued in a focused and disciplined manner and I am happy to lead that charge. In a recent contribution to a relevant committee Deputy Andrews stated that his party is committed to a stand alone department for tourism. That would be a matter for a Taoiseach of his party, but I do not believe Fianna Fáil will have an opportunity to set up such a Department for some considerable time.
Ten months.
I presume there will be a general election in February or March next. Is the Minister saying the time lapse between now and then is considerable? I was in Government when tourism and trade were linked under one Department, but there has been a change. Tourism should be separated from trade and linked to another Department. I can put my hand on my heart and say there will be a stand alone department for tourism when Fianna Fáil get back into Government, either as a single party Government or as part of a coalition, following the next general election.
I admire confidence in any man, but the Deputy will have a battle on his hands. It is a matter for the Taoiseach of the day, but I am sure Deputy Andrews's views will be considered. I agree that tourism is now an engine for economic development and I concur with the Deputy's sentiments in regard to the number of tourists that will visit Ireland this year. Trade and tourism complement each other on the international platform and people who come here on trade missions also associate themselves with tourism.
