The tourism policy review group, the membership of which has already been publicly announced, had its inaugural meeting on Tuesday last, 28 January 2003. In my address to the group, I indicated that I was pleased that such an eminent group of people had volunteered their services to help chart a new direction for Irish tourism. The group's main priorities will include an assessment of the performance and potential of the tourism sector, and the identification of the key elements of a strategy, both industry-led and Government-led, for the further sustainable development of tourism in Ireland.
The terms of reference for the review have been agreed and if the Deputy so wishes, I can arrange for a copy to be made available to him. As already outlined, in response to Parliamentary Question No. 51 of 20 November 2002, the terms of reference for this project have had to be carefully scoped, given the broad range of external influences on the development of tourism and in light of consultations with tourism industry representatives through the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation.
While my stated preference has been for an early completion date for its final report, I will be guided by the group whose members were appointed because of their broad mix of expertise and experience and who are best placed to decide how long they need to complete their task efficiently and effectively. In any event, I have requested that the group report to me with initial views by the end of April if at all possible.