Vol. 557 No. 5
59 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the terms of reference of the review group he announced recently to draw up a new strategy for the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22505/02]
I refer the Deputy to my detailed reply to an earlier Priority Question from Deputy Wall on this subject.
Could the Minister repeat the guidelines and terms of reference for the review group? Who will carry out the review? Will the Minister employ foreign consultants, for example? What is the timeframe for the report? Could the review go on for a number of years, as has happened in the past and does the Minister intend to publish the report?
I hope phase one of the report will be prepared by early spring and that phase two will be completed by late spring.
It is intended to seek the help of a firm of consultants but they will not be used exclusively. It is also the intention to discuss the review with the industry to see how people in the industry see it progressing. The entire process will be chaired by my Department.
The modalities of the review are being prepared at present but the review may touch on issues such as the state of global tourism, the state of Irish tourism, the State and tourism, the potential of Irish tourism, strategic directions for Irish tourism and the framework for the development of tourism.
Will the consultants be a national or international group?
No decision has been made regarding what consultants will be used. The experience has been that one is better off using consultants for specific areas of activity. It is often best to ensure that the consultants are preparing their report in respect of something specific rather than having them travel down all roads. It is not my intention to have them travelling down all roads. It is my intention that specialist consultants will be hired where they are required for a given area, as opposed to having them examine the global situation, which would be an impossible task and could go on indefinitely.
Will the review group look at the competitiveness of Irish tourism and make recommendations, particularly regarding our VAT disadvantage compared with other countries?
It is not within the remit of the review group to make recommendations regarding the taxation policy of the State. The group will look at the whole question of value for money, the development of the tourism product and competitiveness.
