Vol. 563 No. 4
181 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if he met or his Department's officials met with the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism prior to his visit to Savannah recently; if he was given a brief in regard to tourism; if that briefing was used during his visit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8212/03]
182 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the meetings he had with the tourism sector on his recent visit to Savannah; the number of groups he met; if he met with the Minister for Tourism; if he used the tourism brief given to him by the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8213/03]
183 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if his Department will be supplying a brief to the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism in regard to his recent visit to Savannah as to possibilities for tourism links and his or his Department officials' meetings with the tourist sector on his visit. [8214/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 182 and 183 together.
Successive Governments have traditionally availed of the period around St. Patrick's Day to capitalise on the goodwill and unparalleled opportunities generated by the celebrations to promote Ireland around the world, including in terms of highlighting Ireland as an attractive tourist destination.
I travelled to Savannah, Georgia during the period 16 to 19 March 2003 to attend St. Patrick's Day functions while the Naval Service ship, LE Róisín, was in port there. I was accompanied on the visit by my wife, the Secretary General of my Department and my private secretary.
On St. Patrick's Day, following Mass at the Cathedral of John the Baptist and a breakfast hosted by Bishop Boland, I reviewed the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. Later that evening, I represented the Government as guest speaker at the 191st annual Hibernian Society dinner. During my address to the society, I availed of the opportunity to promote Ireland as a top class tourist destination to a receptive audience of over 850 guests. I acknowledged the role played by organisations such as the Hibernian Society in preserving and promoting Irish cultural pursuits and values.
On 18 March 2003, I visited the LE Róisín, which arrived in Savannah on 13 March 2003. As Savannah has long-standing Irish heritage and family connections, the ship's company hosted local religious, civic and military dignitaries as well as members of the local business community during her goodwill visit. The ship's company also participated in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in Savannah. On 19 March 2003, I had to cut short my visit to return to Ireland to be present in the Dáil on 20 March 2003.
