Vol. 640 No. 3
1 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the inclusion of aviation emissions in the EU carbon credit trading system and its implications for Irish tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25784/07]
The emissions trading scheme and the question of the inclusion of aviation is primarily a matter for my colleagues, the Ministers for Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Transport. Accordingly, detailed questions on the issue would be more appropriately addressed to them.
On the particular issue raised by the Deputy, I understand that final agreement on the proposal for a directive to include aviation activities in the scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the European Community is subject to the approval of the European Parliament and the European Council, which has yet to be secured. Without clarity on the final details of the proposed operation and implementation arrangements, it is not possible to assess accurately the tourism impacts on Ireland. The Government supports, in principle, the proposal to include aviation in the emissions trading system. From a tourism viewpoint, I understand that the proposal is regarded as the least worst option, so to speak, in that it is preferable to application of energy taxes, en route charges or other measures to disincentivise customers from travelling by air.
I understand that the impact assessment carried out by the European Commission on its original proposal suggests that, "the maximum impact for regions whose tourism income depends fully on inbound air travel would be a decrease in tourist arrivals of 1% to 5% compared to a business as usual scenario".
Tourism, by definition, is dependent on transport and Ireland, as an island nation, depends overwhelmingly on air access. Considerably more than 80% of our visitors come by air and 80% of our tourism revenue comes from overseas tourists. Developing greater and more competitive air access has been and remains a key tourism policy priority for Ireland. Ireland's best prospects for medium and long-term tourism growth will be critically dependent on air access.
General policies which seek to restrict or significantly inhibit air travel can impact disproportionately on island member states such as Ireland and discriminate against the peripheral regions. It could be argued they are not in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and, therefore, we should be vigilant in arguing our position on this front.
This is my first official opportunity to congratulate the Minister on his appointment and to wish him well.
I accept the Minister's point that this is a cross-cutting issue but it has specific relevance for tourism. Does the Minister agree that the introduction of any tax on aviation fuel, including carbon trading taxes, has serious implications for Ireland? There are no available alternatives so that a tax on aviation fuel can only reduce air travel into Ireland. Does the Minister agree that such an objective is not consistent with other national objectives and that we need a debate on the broader topic of taxes? The Minister remarked that it is the least harmful of taxes. If a direct carbon tax, which I understand is also being considered, is raised at EU level, I ask the Minister that we at least have a national debate on what we want to achieve. Carbon taxes on aviation can only reduce travel into Ireland. As well as affecting tourism, it will affect trade, compound our disadvantage as an island nation, increase the isolating effect of living on an island and erode many of the benefits we have derived in recent years from increased air travel into and out of Ireland.
Will the Minister talk to his colleagues with responsibility for transport and energy? As Irish tourism depends largely on the North American market and because the European land mass is very small, this measure will militate particularly against Ireland and could work to the advantage of countries such as Norway and Switzerland which are not in the EU and will not be subject to the tax. In the context of the open skies policy, it is critical that we are alert to the major competitive issues for Ireland. I ask the Minister to keep those things in mind.
I offer my best wishes to Deputy Mitchell on her appointment to the Fine Gael front bench as spokesperson on the important area of arts, sport and tourism. It is significant that south Dublin seems to have attracted similar portfolios. I am sure it is to the benefit of arts, sport and tourism.
I thank the Minister.
I cannot say too much on these matters in the presence of the Ceann Comhairle.
Technology will bring significant changes in this area. There is a dilemma in our arguing at European level to reduce aviation emissions because by doing so we create a disincentive to travel by air. However, one can square the circle somewhat. Experts say that modern technology permits larger aircraft built with materials which cause smaller emissions and are technologically friendlier. One need not, therefore, greatly reduce the number of people travelling because they will simply be transported more efficiently. By including this in the emission trading scheme, we keep pressure on the aviation industry to continue to invest in such technology and to ensure it comes to the fore.
I acknowledge that a certain squaring of the circle is needed. On the one hand we must reduce emissions and on the other we must grow tourism. Tourism has been growing rapidly and we can continue to develop it while playing our part in reducing carbon emissions.
2 Deputy Mary Upton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will report on the outcome of his meetings with the Gaelic Players Association and the GAA regarding the proposed €5 million Government funded grant scheme for inter-county GAA footballers and hurlers; his views on the GAA’s concerns regarding the funding being channelled through the infrastructure grant scheme; the Government position on the way the money should be distributed; the measures the Department has taken to resolve this issue and to avoid a potential strike by the GPA members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25790/07]
I also wish Deputy Upton well in her new post, playing centre forward for the Labour Party in this important brief.
I met the Gaelic Players Association, GPA, and the GAA on 11 and 17 October respectively at which the issue of player grants was discussed. These meetings were positive and useful in identifying the challenges which must be overcome in this issue.
As I have previously indicated, responsibility for player welfare issues rests with the GAA in the same manner as similar player welfare issues in other sports must be dealt with by the responsible national governing body of sport in each case. I have agreed to remain in contact with both the GPA and the GAA and I hope this issue can be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.
I congratulate the Minister on his appointment and wish him well. Although I do not represent Dublin South, I am a close neighbour in Dublin South-Central.
And a former constituent.
No doubt we will all co-operate on matters of sport, arts and tourism.
I thank the Minister for his reply. It is important the issue is resolved. It has dragged on for almost five years. I appreciate that efforts are being made to resolve the matter and I understand there is goodwill on all sides. The Minister has met separately the GPA and the GAA. It would be productive if he could arrange to meet with the two organisations together to try to resolve the issue.
Does the Minister understand the GAA would have serious concerns regarding infrastructure funds being used for the proposed purposes? Does he have concerns in that regard?
I share Deputy Upton's wish that we progress this matter quickly. Much good work has been done in the background to try to move this matter on. I have arranged for ongoing discussions between all sides. In the course of the coming weeks, I am confident that those discussions will come to a satisfactory conclusion. All sides are keeping the lines of communication open and are having discussions with each other. We are all doing so with a sense of goodwill and in a genuine attempt to reach a solution to what has been a fairly intractable issue for some time. I share the Deputy's view that considerable goodwill exists on all sides. I had good meetings with the GAA and the GPA and I am satisfied, following those meetings, that there is substantial goodwill on both sides. I have arranged ongoing discussions between them and I am hopeful they will bear fruit soon.
I wish the Minister well with those negotiations but it is important that all parties are brought to the table together, otherwise unilateral discussions could potentially run on. As indicated by the GPA, strike action is a danger, which would disrupt the inter-county games beginning in the new year. That must be avoided at all costs, as that will serve nobody. Has the Irish Sports Council a role in managing this issue?
The Irish Sports Council could play a role in these discussions as it is independent and its members have a wealth of experience. The council could be of considerable assistance. I pay tribute to inter-county players. They take a great deal of time off for training and they make a fantastic commitment. Playing inter-county nowadays is not like 20 years ago because it demands an enormous time commitment on the part of players and their families. It is important that such effort is recognised by everybody, given the sheer work they put into inter-county games and the commitment they make. We should also salute the GAA on the magnificent commitment the organisation shows in every parish in the State. I thank its officials for that. I would like to bring this dispute to an early conclusion.
3 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the introduction of multiannual funding for the Arts Council in view of the importance of multiannual funding for forward planning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25785/07]
The funding of the Arts Council, as with all departmental and State agencies, is a matter for consideration under the annual budget and Estimates process. In doing so, the Government must balance competing demands from every part of our economy and society. I am aware of the Arts Council's desire to have multiannual budgets, having met the Council on a number of occasions. I appreciate the need for stability in budgeting which such a measure would provide. My Department, like all other Departments, is provided with annual current expenditure budgets through the Estimates process. The programme for Government commits to providing multiannual funding to the Arts Council that identifies key areas for development, for organisations or key strategies in the arts. Multiannual current funding for the Arts Council is an issue I will pursue with my colleague, the Minister for Finance.
Funding for the council has increased by almost 68%, from €47.67 million in 2002 to €80 million in 2007. These are significant amounts of taxpayers' money in any context and they have transformed the arts, increasing access to and participation in the arts. The Government's commitment to the arts is evidenced by these substantial increases in funding. This has enabled the Arts Council to dramatically increase the number of organisations it supports and the funding it provides. For instance, in 2006 the Arts Council supported 330 regularly funded organisations, which employ 2,000 people; 170 festivals; 251 artists, through bursaries provided to members of Aosdána; and 41 artists in residence programmes, spread across hospitals, schools, communities and prisons. A number of new initiatives have been introduced by the Arts Council as a result of this additional funding, including touring, small festivals and opera. I am pursuing funding for the council in 2008, with all aspects of arts funding, as we work to conclude the 2008 Estimates process.
Nobody would deny additional money has been invested in the arts in recent times and much has been achieved. However, multiannual funding was promised in the programme for Government. The Minister accepts it makes good sense and such funding is widely used in other areas, for instance, transport, for which a 15-year plan is in place. Why not provide multiannual funding for the arts? While it is a budget issue, it not only comes down to additional funding but also certainty in budgeting so that realistic planning can take place. The regularly funded organisations prepared three-year plans based on the promise in the programme for Government and the Arts Council has tried to respond. However, it is not reasonable to ask the council to provide three-year budgets when it is only guaranteed funding on an annual basis.
The Minister will accept it takes more than one year to put together productions, market them in advance and take them on tour around the country. From a tourism perspective, if people wish to market a festival, the programmes must be sent to the printers at least 12 months in advance. A soloist for a chamber orchestra must be hired 24 months in advance and the same is true for many other disciplines. The Minister must accept the multiannual programme is not only about providing additional funding but also about achieving better value for money. I ask him to consider that.
The programme for Government commits us to multiannual funding to the Arts Council, which should identify key areas for development for organisations or key strategies in the arts and to ensure increased arts activity is sustained and developed. The Government is committed to moving in that direction, particularly where key areas for development can be ring-fenced. Funding for the council has increased spectacularly by 68% from €47 million in 2002 to €80 million this year. That represents a significant commitment by the Government and its predecessor to invest in the arts. I pay tribute to the Arts Council, which deals with 330 regularly funded organisations, which employ 2,000 people, and 170 festivals. The council funds a range of organisations, events and causes under its remit. I am committed to examining how we can move forward on multiannual funding but it should not hold back the council because successive Ministers in recent years have ensured major increases in funding.
Given that more funding has been invested in the arts, more venues have been established and they must be filled. A good touring product is needed to fill them. I do not know if the Minister is aware of alarming stories in various parts of the State about wonderful facilities that have been provided from public money, which are underutilised. The reason I push for multiannual funding is the necessity for value for money in making these investments.
4 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the status of the swimming pool capital projects; the funding available and the maximum funding in each individual case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25786/07]
Under the National Development Plan 2007-2013, €184 million has been allocated for the provision of public swimming pools under the local authority swimming pool programme. The programme provides grant aid towards the capital costs of new public swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing public pools provided by local authorities themselves or by other bodies where the application for capital funding is supported by the local authority. In 2007, the subhead provision for this programme is €25 million and this amount is expected to be spent by the end of 2007.
There are four principal stages which must be undertaken by a local authority in developing a swimming pool project. These are preliminary report, including a feasibility study; contract documents; tender stage; and finally construction stage. Local authorities may not proceed to the next stage of a project until prior approval issues from my Department. Grant aid is formally allocated when the tender is approved. The Department's technical advisers, the Office of Public Works, evaluates each stage.
The current round of the programme, which has been closed to new applicants since July 2000, provides for maximum grant aid of €3.8 million per project and the policy since 2000 has been to give priority to the completion of the 57 projects within the round. Of these 57 projects, 28 have been completed and 14 are under construction or about to start construction, all of which have been grant-aided. Some 15 other projects are at various stages of the programme, with three at tender stage, eight at contract documents stage and four at preliminary report stage. For the information of the Deputy and the House, I propose to circulate with the Official Report details of where each of the 57 projects fits within the programme.
Additional information not give on the floor of the House.
Cumulative grant expenditure under the programme from 2000 to the end of this year is anticipated to be €108 million and this grant aid has leveraged total investment of €327 million in public swimming pool facilities. Currently my Department is completing a value-for-money and policy review report of the local authority swimming pool programme. The report is examining, among other matters, how the programme has worked to date and what changes, if any, are required to ensure its effective and efficient delivery.
The report is currently being finalised and it is my intention to publish it as soon as possible. Following consideration of the recommendations in the report, it is my intention to launch a new round of the local authority swimming pool programme. When the programme is re-opened, it will be open to all local authorities to submit applications under the terms that will apply.
Status of individual swimming pool projects under the current round (closed 31 July, 2000) of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme
PROJECTS COMPLETED (28)
Arklow (Refurbish) — official opening January 2000
Courtown/Gorey (New) — opened October 2001
Dundalk (New) — official opening March 2002
Ennis (New) — official opening September 2003
Enniscorthy (New) — official opening January 2000
Monaghan (Refurbish) — re-entered programme for replacement
Navan (New) — official opening August 2000
Wicklow (New) — (Sept 99) official opening June 2001
Roscommon (Refurbish) — official opening April 2002
AquaDome, Tralee (Refurbish) — opened 2003
Ballinasloe (Replace) — official opening October 2003
Finglas, Dublin (Replace) — opened April 04
Grove Island, Limerick (New) — opened June 04
Sports and Leisure Centre, Tralee (Refurbish) — opened July 04
Clonmel (Refurbish) — opened December 04
Churchfield, Cork City (Refurbish) — official opening June 05
Ballymun, Dublin City (Replace) — opened June 05
Tuam, Co Galway (Replace) — opened Sept 05
Drogheda, Co Louth (Replace) -opened May 2006
Monaghan town (Replace) — opened 19 August 2006
Cobh, Co Cork (Replace) — opened 30 August 2006
Youghal, Co Cork (New) — opened 18 September 2006
Jobstown, South County Dublin (New) — opened 13 November 2006
Ballybunion, Co Kerry (New) — June 2007
Birr, Co. Offaly (Refurbish) — opened 7 July 2007
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (Replace) — opened 9 July 2007
Askeaton, Co. Limerick (Replace outdoor pool) — opened 4 August 2007
Longford, Co.Longford (Replace) — opened 7 September 2007
UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR ABOUT TO START CONSTRUCTION (14)
Ballyfermot, Dublin City (Replace)
Clondalkin, South County Dublin (Replace)
Killarney, Co Kerry (New)
Portlaoise, Co. Laois (Replace)
Portarlington, Co. Laois (Refurbish)
Thurles, Co Tipperary (Replace)
St Michael's House, Dublin (New)
Athy, Co. Kildare (Replace
Naas, Co. Kildare (Replace)
Kilkenny City (Replace)
Tullamore, Co. Offaly (Replace outdoor pool)
Bray, Co. Wicklow (Replace)
Greystones, Co. Wicklow ( New)
St. Joseph's School for Deaf Boys (Refurbish)
OUT TO TENDER (3)
Claremorris, Co. Mayo (Replacement)
Roscrea, Tipperary, NR (New)
Dundrum, Co. Dublin (Replace)
PREPARING CONTRACT DOCUMENTS (8)
Skerries, Fingal (New)
New Ross, Co. Wexford (Replace)
Buncrana, Co. Donegal (Refurbish)
Glenalbyn, Co. Dublin (Refurbish)
Castlebar, Co. Mayo (Replace)
Dunmanway, Co. Cork (Refurbish)
Ferrybank, Co. Wexford (Refurbish)
Ballybofey, Co. Donegal (New)
PRELIMINARY REPORT STAGE (4)
Edenderry, Co. Offaly (Replace)
Clara, Co. Offaly (Refurbish)
Ballaghadereen, Co. Roscommon (New)
Loughrea, Co. Galway (New)
I know the Minister is fairly familiar with the swimming pool programme for a variety of reasons. As he rightly pointed out, the last round closed for applications in 2000. It is on the national primary school curriculum that every child should have swimming lessons, so to have to wait seven or eight years or even longer to even apply for the scheme clearly shows the problems with it.
The maximum amount available is €3.8 million but the average payment out of the allocated money is less than €2 million per pool. A pool costs about €10 million to build, so the cap is too low and too little is allocated. The timescale is far too long. How can it be that a scheme which closed in 2000 still has not re-opened, despite a significant need? Even with the pools around the country, many must virtually be levelled and started over again.
There is a major problem that must be considered. How can it be that it has taken seven years to deal with 57 projects? I cannot remember how much has been spent on these projects but I know €184 million is allocated for the next seven years. How much of the money allocated for the next seven years will go to applications from the last seven years? There is clearly not enough money if there is an overhang, and the applications made in 2000 still have not been dealt with as we head to 2008. The Minister must look at the problem.
There is €25 million in the 2007 subhead, which will be spent in 2007. I take the Deputy's point. There are 57 projects either completed, open, under construction, out to tender or at contract document stage, so there has been significant activity in this area. Considerable funds have been invested by the taxpayer.
Two things will now happen. My Department is to complete a value-for-money policy review of the entire programme which will examine how the programme has worked to date and what changes, if any, are required. The report is currently being finalised and I intend to publish it as soon as possible. Following consideration of that report it is my intention to launch a new round of the local authorities swimming pool programme. I am not in a position to put a date on that yet. The National Development Plan 2007-2013 provides €184 towards swimming pool projects, which is quite considerable.
Does the Minister know what is the overhang of the schemes which applied in 2000? How many still have to draw down the money provided by the original round?
Some $25 million will be provided in 2007, the main overhang as the Deputy called it, in the sense that the money available in 2007 will be used to finish the 57 projects.
It will clear them.
As far as I know that will finish the 57 projects.
That will be all of the phases.
Of the 57, 28 are completed and open. Some 14 are under construction and three are out to tender. The €25 million is available in the Estimates this year to complete the 14 under construction and deal with those out to tender. If the Deputy is concerned the new allocation of €184 will be eaten into by the old programme, I do not believe it will. I will check that again.
The money allocated to each project is far too little, as the Minister knows.
We must move on as these are Priority Questions.
5 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the Shannon marketing initiative, promised in the context of the open skies agreement and valued at €53 million will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25787/07]
The Minister for Transport is finalising an economic and tourism development plan for the wider Shannon Airport catchment area which has been prepared in consultation with the Departments of Finance; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; and my own Department. The plan seeks to help the region respond to the challenges and opportunities emerging in the context of the EU-US open skies agreement.
Tourism agencies are acutely aware of the need to respond in a positive way to these challenges and both officials from my Department and I have been in dialogue with them about this. In the context of open skies, the Government is committed, under its programme, to providing "marketing support to the Shannon region for a transitional period to help consolidate existing markets and develop new sources of business".
In line with the commitment in the programme for Government, an appropriate tourism initiative has been formulated in the context of the development of the plan and I expect that, subject to approval of the plan, fuller details will emerge shortly. The Government has made no commitment to the specific sum of money mentioned by the Deputy, and both my predecessor and myself have made it clear that demands for funding should be realistic.
Subject to final approval, I would expect the initiative to focus on the wider western catchment, from Kerry to Donegal; be within the existing super-regions framework, in very close co-operation with the tourism agencies and key local industry interests with which I have already been in contact; and to be innovative, creative and have a strong digital media content.
I thank the Minister. I accept the figure came from the regional authority but it was certainly led to believe by the previous Minister for Transport that the amount would be forthcoming. It now appears their plan, which involved all the stakeholders putting that plan together, is being dropped in favour of a plan coming from the various Departments involved. It is coming far too late.
Leaving aside what has happened with the Heathrow slots since, this package was meant to help the region benefit from the open skies agreement, not to find itself being disadvantaged by it. We have known about this for years and the promise was made to provide a package to help the region capitalise on the possibilities of open skies. Other airlines, airports and countries have been securing their markets and arranging transatlantic routes while Ireland has been sitting on its hands. There has been no active aviation policy coming from this country.
Considering we are an island country largely dependent on aviation, a sector that is very volatile, we cannot have either a passive or reactive aviation policy. It must be aggressive, on the ball and anticipate problems. Does the Minister accept this package is, if not too late, needed urgently? It must be quickly put together. What kind of timescale is involved?
It is a matter of urgency that we get on with this package, and much of it is being dealt with in the context of the upcoming Estimates and budgetary process. We should approach part of the issue in that manner. I had a very good meeting recently with the Irish Hotels Federation and I also met with various bodies in the Shannon region. I had good discussions with their representatives in recent days regarding how we can best prepare the region for open skies and in respect of the challenging and competitive environment that exists.
Shannon can continue to avail of a growing tourism market. I will not bore Members by referring to the statistics but it is clear the numbers of visitors to the region have been increasing, as have visitor revenues. For the first seven months of this year, the numbers coming into the region increased significantly. In my opinion, the region can continue to avail of a strong growth in inward tourism by remaining competitive. The Minister for Transport is preparing the plan and he will bring it forward as soon as our work in respect of it concludes.
I realise the Minister does not have sole responsibility for this matter. He did, however, refer to preparing for open skies. It is too late to do so because open skies is already with us. I ask the Minister to impress on his colleagues in Cabinet the urgency relating to his matter.
We have been discussing open skies for a long period. It will be next year before flights begin to operate under this policy.
The effects are already with us.
Everyone must do what he or she can to prepare Shannon for that eventuality.
