Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2005
62 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when he will make a decision on a report (details supplied) commissioned by Fáilte Ireland as it relates to the activities of regional tourism bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15176/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I advised the House on 14 April 2005, there has been a major reform of tourism structures in recent years with the setting up of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. Reform of the function, role and operational structure of regional tourism is the third and final leg of that reform process. I have no direct responsibility for the most appropriate regional structures for the discharge of Fáilte Ireland's functions and the relationships and arrangements that should apply at regional level — this is effectively a day-to-day matter for Fáilte Ireland.
In response to a recommendation in the tourism action plan set out in the report of the tourism policy review group, Fáilte Ireland commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct a major consultancy study of regional tourism structures as the authority sought to determine how best to carry out its new development mandate countrywide.
On 13 April last, I received a letter from the chairman of Fáilte Ireland, enclosing a copy of the PricewaterhouseCoopers consultancy report and indicating that the authority endorsed the recommendations in the report at its meeting on Thursday 7 April. This report has been published and widely circulated by Fáilte Ireland and is available on its website.
In regard to the Dublin region, the authority has initiated a further short engagement with the relevant parties to satisfy interests in the Dublin region that the mechanisms of consultation are complete. A small independent group, chaired by Mr. John Travers, will facilitate this process, and it is expected that the Fáilte Ireland authority will consider the outcome of this work at its next meeting, which is scheduled for mid-June.
The PricewaterhouseCoopers report highlights the need for a much wider brief for regional tourism, playing a strategic rather than administrative role and making a more direct input into national policy. It recommends a stronger emphasis on targeted marketing, product development and enterprise support. It suggests establishing an integrated link between regional tourism strategy and national policy and exploiting avenues to leverage increased resources.
Over the coming weeks I will continue to consider the policy implications of the authority's recommendations on foot of the report, the outcome of the further consultation process on the concerns expressed about the future role of Dublin Tourism, and the views of the industry. I want to satisfy myself that we have the most efficient and effective regional structures to service the needs of the visitor and the needs of the industry. The structures are somewhat fragmented and it is not always clear that they represent the most effective use of energy and resources.
Dublin Tourism has lobbied hard to make the Minister and Fáilte Ireland see common sense. From a regional perspective some areas perform better than others and it is necessary to take a more strategic long-term approach to them, particularly as some aspects of the tourism industry, such as walking, are in decline. We cannot afford to lose any segment of the industry to international competition.
Would implementing this report be akin to killing the goose that laid the golden egg? As Dublin Tourism points out, on a city by city basis, which is probably the most appropriate way to measure the success of tourism in Dublin, Dublin is third in Europe. Given that Dublin Tourism has indicated a willingness to integrate the executive functions more closely on a regional basis, it might be more appropriate to retain the existing format while considering ways to promote tourism in other regions. While Dublin and several areas on the western corridor are doing well, the tourism industry elsewhere is performing relatively poorly. There is plenty of scope for the Midlands to be further developed.
Is the Minister saying that because he has no direct responsibility for day-to-day matters, he is not willing to intervene if the future of tourism in Dublin is threatened as it may well be? This is more than a day-to-day matter. If the short engagement, under the chairmanship of Mr. John Travers, reaches an unsatisfactory conclusion, will the Minister make a final decision and direct Fáilte Ireland? In five or ten years' time if the figures show that tourism in Dublin has been affected by the bureaucratisation of tourism management the Minister will be associated with that damage. The Minister deserves a better legacy.
Some Opposition Members — not Deputy Gogarty — were reported in the media as saying that this report heralds the end of Dublin Tourism. That is not the case. We are trying to ensure that we give the best service to the industry and that the industry gives the best service to the customer. There has been much fragmentation and duplication in the industry. I am not denigrating Dublin Tourism's role in, or contribution to, the development of tourism in the Dublin region. I want to enhance that role by ensuring that services available nationally are available on the ground through the regional tourism authorities.
Fáilte Ireland has been engaged in further consultations with Dublin Tourism and meetings are taking place with many people who are concerned about the progress of this initiative in so far as it affects Dublin. My role is to enhance tourism in Dublin. The only aspect of Dublin I wish to see defeated is its football team.
We want to enhance the tourism industry here and try to help as much as we can. I hope we can resolve whatever problems have arisen and satisfy everybody we are proceeding in the correct way. That is why we have established a further engagement. Just because a report arrives, however, does not mean it must be implemented. The Government has the major role in policy formulation and is directly involved in how the regional tourism authorities impact on policy. In those circumstances Deputy Gogarty has no cause to worry.
Does the Minister envisage that a decision will be made by December?
A small independent group chaired by Mr. Travers and including the economist Mr. Paul Tansey, and Mr. John Power of the Irish Hotels Federation is facilitating the engagement with Dublin Tourism, representatives of the industry, local authorities in the Dublin region, and my Department. It has already met PricewaterhouseCoopers, the chairman, chief executive officer and senior staff of Fáilte Ireland, the chairman and chief executive officer of Dublin Tourism and the city manager.
A meeting will be held soon with the council of Dublin Tourism, the Lord Mayor of Dublin and the cathaoirligh of the Dublin county councils. I expect the Fáilte Ireland authority will consider the outcome of the process at its next meeting which is scheduled for 15 June. We will see where we go from there. There will be changes on foot of the report but we must see which are best.
Question No. 63 answered with QuestionNo. 61.
