Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 1

Written Answers. - Tourism Promotion.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

851 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans, if any, he has to ensure a co-ordinated marketing plan for tourism in the west, incorporating all the counties of the western seaboard from Donegal to Kerry. [1331/99]

Dick Spring

Ceist:

854 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the plans, if any, he has for the marketing of County Kerry as a single unit for tourism purposes, rather than the present situation whereby the county is divided between SFADCo and Cork and Kerry Tourism. [1335/99]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 851 and 854 together.

I have no plans at this stage to ask the tourism promotional agencies to develop a co-ordinated tourism marketing plan specifically for the west of Ireland or for the marketing of County Kerry as a single unit.

The promotion of individual regions and areas within regions are matters primarily for the local industry representatives working in conjunction with the relevant state bodies. In the case of Kerry, the Government decided on 5 October 1988 to extend Shannon Development's tourism remit to include the north Kerry area. As an integrated development agency for the mid-west region, a part of the agency's role is to initiate and support tourism promotion and development as a key element in the achievement of overall economic growth throughout the mid-west region.

Although established on a different statutory basis, Shannon Development's tourism functions are, in many respects, similar to those of regional tourism organisations, such as Cork-Kerry Tourism, which were established by Bord Fáilte.

Over the last year or so, Bord Fáilte has, at my request, introduced a strong regional emphasis into its promotional activities and programmes, with a view to securing a broader regional distribution of tourism revenue.

I am satisfied that Government policy for Irish tourism is being implemented in a co-ordinated and effective manner and that the structures in place are responsive to the requirements of our markets and customers. All such structures must continue to evolve and, while I have no plans at present to alter existing structures, I can assure the Deputy that they are constantly under review and indeed may need to be reviewed in the light of the outcome of the negotiations in the next round of EU Structural Funds.