Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 7 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 2

Written Answers. - Tourism Promotion.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

36 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the position regarding the transfer of staff from Bord Fáilte to the new cross-Border body, Tourism Ireland Limited, the number of Irish-based and foreign-based staff who have transferred to date; if agreement has been reached regarding terms and working conditions for the staff who are transferring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8038/02]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid): As I informed the House in reply to a similar question on 30 January 2002, responsibility for the international marketing of Ireland as a tourism destination officially transferred from Bord Fáilte Éireann to Tourism Ireland Limited with effect from 1 January 2002. Bord Fáilte staff due to transfer to Tourism Ireland were involved in the preparatory planning work of the company for some months prior to that, with the active support of the trade unions that represent them. This co-operation from the staff and the trade unions remains ongoing.

I understand from the company that the present number of staff in Tourism Ireland is 53, of whom 23 are based in Ireland and 30 are overseas. Of the total of 53 staff, 32 have transferred, including 27 from Bord Fáilte, and 21 are new recruits. A further four recruits will result from competitions that are nearing completion. The total number of staff who will be employed by Tourism Ireland in 2002 will be about 150, after all formal transfers take place from Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

Discussions with the staff and their trade unions have been very detailed due to a number of factors, including the complexities of transferring staff in 15 jurisdictions worldwide; the merging of the overseas marketing activities of Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board in a number of the principal markets; compliance by Tourism Ireland with local regulations for con ducting business in the various jurisdictions; the application of relevant local employment legislation; and the superannuation provisions for transferred staff and those recruited directly.

In the meantime, the work being carried out by the staff has been extremely effective in developing, launching and implementing the overseas marketing programme in what is generally acknowledged as a very challenging year for the tourism industry.