Tourism Industry.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2008

Tuesday, 12 February 2008

Ceisteanna (33)

Joanna Tuffy

Ceist:

126 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has instructed An Taisce to carry out an investigation into the likely effects future rises in sea levels and coastal erosion will have on the coastline and coastal tourist attractions here, in view of the report by the National Trust of the United Kingdom regarding the effects coastal erosion and sea level rises will have on tourist destinations in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4764/08]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Deputy Séamus Brennan)

I have no function in relation to issuing instructions to An Taisce, which is an independent non-governmental body. I understand that The Heritage Council and Fáilte Ireland have jointly commissioned a desk-based study to assess the impact of climate change on marine heritage and inland waterways, and the implications of these impacts for tourism. The project is currently underway and is due to be completed by April 2008. I also refer the Deputy to the answer given by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley TD, on Wednesday 30 January 2008, to a written question from Deputy Leo Varadkar, PQ Reference Number 2269/08.