Vol. 475 No. 8
14 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he has responded to calls to establish a regular and fixed schedule of meetings with Bord Fáilte in relation to the discharge of the board's advisory functions; if so, the result to date of such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6032/97]
36 Mr. M. Brennan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he has responded to calls to establish a regular and fixed schedule of meetings between himself and Bord Fáilte in view of the statutory responsibilities of Bord Fáilte to advise him on tourism matters; if he has established such a regular and fixed schedule of meetings; if he sees merit in the establishment of such a regular and fixed schedule of meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5969/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 36 together.
Though not on any fixed inflexible basis, I meet the board of Bord Fáilte, who have statutory responsibility for execution of tourism policy, from time to time, to discuss Government policy, its implementation and possible directions for future policy.
In addition, there are regular and frequent meetings between my Department and Bord Fáilte at senior official level to discuss ongoing tourism policy matters as well as day to day contact at all levels over a wide range of issues.
Both the chairman and director general of Bord Fáilte are also members of the Tourism Council and participate fully in the council's deliberations. The council meets at least three times a year and acts as the national forum for consultation with the industry as well as in an advisory capacity to me on tourism policy.
In view of the radical changes that have taken place in tourism in recent years I am somewhat surprised to learn there is not a fixed schedule of meetings between the Minister, his advisers and Department on the one hand and Bord Fáilte on the other.
The other part of my question has to do with whether the role or remit of Bord Fáilte has changed to the extent that the relevant legislation warrants further amendment. The Minister referred to the Tourism Council, in addition to which there are the National Monitoring Committee and a number of bodies whose roles have become much wider than heretofore. Does he agree that, in some respects, the role of Bord Fáilte has changed from being the body in charge of promoting and marketing Ireland as a tourist venue to one quite different from that originally envisaged? Would the Minister comment on how best he and his Department can keep tabs on developments and, in particular, relate to Bord Fáilte?
Meetings take place between senior officials of my Department and Bord Fáilte every six to eight weeks, the next meeting being due to take place on 10 March. The National Tourism Council is a voluntary body comprising representatives nominated by the tourism industry and its various sectors and others nominated by the Minister. It is merely an advisory body. It is by no means a statutory committee and no remuneration is involved. The National Monitoring Committee chaired by my Department is just that, and deals with matters appertaining to operational programmes. Its first meeting on Friday last was called specifically to deal with the mid-term evaluator's report. These are distinct committees or councils which act in an advisory capacity in respect of which there is no need for any legislative amendment.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
