Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 1

Other Questions. - Irish Ferries.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

22 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation his views on the impact on tourism in the south west area arising from the decision taken by Irish Ferries to withdraw its service from that city to France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21507/97]

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

39 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries company in order to get it to reverse its decision which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21296/97]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

42 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries company in order to get it to reverse its decision which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21299/97]

Ceist:

44 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries company in order to get it to reverse its decision which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21294/97]

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

51 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries company in order to get it to reverse its decision which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21298/97]

P. J. Sheehan

Ceist:

54 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries Company in order to get it to reverse its decision, which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21295/97]

Michael Creed

Ceist:

68 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries company in order to get it to reverse its decision which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21300/97]

Paul Bradford

Ceist:

77 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries company in order to get it to reverse its decision which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21297/97]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 39, 42, 44, 51, 54, 68 and 77 together.

I understand the decision by Irish Ferries, a privately owned company, to discontinue the use of Cork port was taken on purely commercial considerations and, as such, I have no function in the matter. The company has, however, announced an improved and upgraded continental cruise ferry service for the 1998 season between Rosslare, Cherbourg and Roscoff. This service will increase capacity for tourist traffic, vehicles and freight business and I welcome the company's continued commitment to the continental route. I understand the service will begin next April and will operate according to a new schedule which allows for consistent departure and arrival times with early morning arrival times in France and Ireland to better facilitate passengers driving onwards to their holiday destinations.

I have not spoken directly to Irish Ferries about its decision to discontinue the use of Cork port, but my colleague, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, replied to Deputies in the House on the Adjournment on 19 November in relation to this matter.

It is too early to assess what impact, if any, the decision to discontinue the use of Cork port will have on flows of continental tourists to and within Ireland. As I have already said, the new vessel being chartered by Irish Ferries will provide for increased capacity for tourist traffic and vehicles and will offer higher standards of on board facilities which should prove attractive to potential visitors.

While the distribution of visitor flows within Ireland is primarily a matter for the regional tourism authorities and the tourist industry, I am concerned about improving regional spread generally, as we all know that recent growth in tourism has not been benefiting all regions to the same extent.

Last month I announced an extra £5 million for Bord Fáilte by way of Supplementary Estimate this year, which will facilitate tourism promotion and marketing for the coming season. I have asked Bord Fáilte to design a series of new initiatives for the 1998 campaign, targeted not only at maintaining tourism growth but more particularly at addressing regional spread. Further details of this initiative will be announced after I move the Supplementary Estimate for my Department in the House on 11 December.

Barr
Roinn