Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 31 Jan 2001

Vol. 529 No. 2

Written Answers. - Tourism Ireland.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

67 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the persons he nominated to the board of Tourism Ireland; the reason only one woman was included among the 12 nominees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2396/01]

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

At the inaugural meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council in tourism sectoral format, held in Belfast on 27 October 2000, the council agreed that the board of the new all-island tourism marketing company – Tourism Ireland Ltd. – would have 12 members. It was decided that the membership was to be appointed on a 50:50 North-South basis and comprise an independent chairperson and vice-chairperson, the chairpersons and chief executives of Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and three appointments from the North and three from the South representing tourism industry interests.

In accordance with the framework agreed by the NSMC, of my six nominees, Redmond O'Donoghue and John Dully, the respective chairperson and chief executive of Bord Fáilte wereex officio. A further two, Tony Kelly, marketing director of Irish Ferries Ltd, and John Power, chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation, were nominated from the names recommended by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation. To fill the remaining places, I nominated Ann Riordan, general manager, sales, marketing and services, of Microsoft Ireland, as vice-chair person and Charles Sinnott, owner of Sinnott Hotels, as an ordinary member of the board.

Question No. 68 answered with Question No. 65.