Written Answers Nos. 44-55
44. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views regarding the use of alcohol sponsorship by sporting organisations; his views on whether the phasing out of this sponsorship will have a negative impact on sporting organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44947/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra70. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether sponsorship of sporting events by alcoholic drinks companies should be subject to the same restrictions as tobacco sponsorship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45191/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 70 together.
I fully support the central aim of the National Substance Misuse Strategy in reducing the level of alcohol consumption and binge drinking in Ireland. However, I also recognise that moderate and responsible alcohol consumption is not harmful and that there is no case for de normalising alcohol consumption it in the way that was appropriate for tobacco. Any measures introduced should be evidence based, effective and proportionate, and should have regard to the potential downsides that may occur.
A legislative ban on sponsorship would have negative consequences for sport and tourism. There are huge economic, social and health benefits accruing from sport. From a health perspective alone, there are clearly significant benefits for individuals and for our health system in maintaining and increasing participation levels in sport. One of the goals of my Department is to contribute to a healthier and more active society by promoting sports participation. However, it is important that funding is available to sports organisations to ensure that sport is maintained at grassroots level so that as many people as possible can participate.
Also, it is my view that sport plays an important role in diverting young people away from alcohol. The financial support provided through sponsorship is integral to the availability of sport at grassroots level and I am concerned that placing constraints on the sporting organisations by eliminating the alcohol industry as a source of sponsorship will have a negative impact on the development and availability of sport, particularly in the current economic climate.
Furthermore, it must be recognised that many of the major sporting events in which Irish teams compete are international events and are directly or indirectly broadcast into the state by foreign broadcasters. Were Ireland to ban alcohol sponsorship, the only effect would be to exclude the Irish sporting organisation from sponsorship money while the advertising occurred anyway. I also note that Britain, having recognised the failure of the 'Loi Evin' in France to reduce alcohol consumption by young people, decided not to ban alcohol sponsorship of sport for evidence based reasons.
My Department has engaged with the Department of Health with regard to proposals which that Department is bringing forward.
48. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his intentions regarding the State's holding in Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45177/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question relates to the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus.
As the Deputy is aware the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus is one of the assets included in the State Asset's Disposal Programme. The Steering Group established to implement the Government Decision on the sale of the shareholding is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives from the Department of Finance, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and NewERA.
The Steering Group is considering the options for the sale of the State’s shareholding and the optimum timing of a sale.
49. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of the recent success of Special Olympics Ireland, his plans to assist the organisation to develop at local and regional level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45119/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Sports Council, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the promotion, development and co-ordination of sport, including the allocation of funding to National Governing Bodies of Sport.
The provision of assistance for the further development of Special Olympics Ireland is a matter for the Irish Sports Council. I have referred the Deputy's question to them for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply has not been received within ten days.
50. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport having regard to the reduced detail and frequency with which tourism statistics are published by the Central Statistics Office, if his attention has been drawn to the importance of reliable and frequent data for policy purposes and also for the various agencies with regard to operational management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45123/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTimely, reliable tourism statistics are recognised in Government strategies as essential for measuring on-going performance and informing both the operations of the tourism agencies and overarching Government policies and actions. My officials and I have regular and constructive engagement with the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the tourism agencies in relation to data on tourism performance.
Official tourism statistics are published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Ireland’s independent national statistical agency and an office of the Department of the Taoiseach, which is responsible for the collection, compilation, extraction and dissemination for statistical purposes of information relating to economic, social and general activities and conditions in the State. Under the Statistics Act 1993, the CSO is statutorily independent in respect of its functions. The CSO publishes official statistics on tourism in three releases based on different surveys. “Overseas Travel” reports on the number of overseas trips, both inbound and outbound. “Tourism and Travel” reports on international travel including expenditure, purpose of visit and overnight stays, in addition to overseas trip numbers. The “Household Travel Survey” reports on Irish households’ travel and tourism, both at home and overseas, and includes details on expenditure, purpose of trip and overnight stays.
In addition to using the CSO statistics, the tourism agencies also conduct their own analyses of tourism performance and further research to provide supplementary information and insights. This includes a range of tourism surveys conducted by Fáilte Ireland (including the Survey of Overseas Travellers and the Visitor Attitudes Survey) which give further detail on aspects such as visitors’ motivation for holidaying in Ireland, activities undertaken, destinations visited and accommodation used. Given the differing demands of agencies, policymakers and industry, and the balance required between quality, standardisation, frequency and relevance of statistics, it is appropriate to use a range of data sources such as these, as well as the official CSO data.
52. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to enhance and promote cultural and eco tourism; his plans to increase investment in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45126/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of specific sectors of the tourism industry is primarily an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. For further information, I have referred the Deputy's Question to the agency for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply from the agency within ten working days.
53. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide full details of the terms of the eight contracts in operation between the National Roads Authority and road toll operators or PPP concessionaires agreed under the Roads Acts 1993-2007, with particular reference to traffic guarantee mechanisms; the formula used to determine the agreed traffic rates under which payments are made from the Exchequer to the operators of the Limerick Tunnel PPP and the M3 Clonee-Kells PPP; the amounts of money paid to these operators to date; the amount expected to be paid over the next two years; the next available opportunity to renegotiate these contracts; the agreed average daily traffic level on the remaining six projects at which the State will benefit from a revenue share arrangement; if that level has been exceeded on any of the six projects yet; the total revenue taken to date under this agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45197/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The implementation of individual national road schemes, including Public Private Partnership projects, is a matter for the National Roads Authority in accordance with the Roads Acts 1993-2007.
In particular, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the NRA under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).
The contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between the NRA and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionaires concerned. There are eight such contracts in total with two incorporating a traffic guarantee mechanism.
As the operation of these contracts is a matter for the NRA, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
54. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will develop and publish an aviation policy for the State, setting out a clear vision for the development of this sector over the coming decade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45208/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra60. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will develop and publish an aviation policy for the State, setting out a clear vision for the development of this sector over the coming decade; if Cork Airport will be a central component to this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44936/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra68. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, in the event of a new national aviation policy being prepared, he will consider the status and regulation of small local airfields and local flying activity which has an impact on local businesses and residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45209/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 60 and 68 together.
These questions relate to the development of a new civil aviation policy.
The primary aim of our aviation policy at present as set out in my Department's Statement of Strategy 2011-2014 is to ensure that the sector supports Ireland's economic and social goals in a safe, competitive, cost-effective and sustainable manner and to ensure maximum connectivity for Ireland with the rest of the world.
Given the critical importance of the sector to the economy, I have decided to launch a review process for the development of a new civil aviation policy for Ireland. To this end I have invited representatives from all stakeholders to attend a one day conference on 3 December 2012 to launch this process. I expect to have this process concluded and the new civil aviation policy published by the end of 2013.
Cork airport is an important part of Ireland's civil aviation infrastructure and this will be taken account of as part of the review process. The Government has already decided that the future of Cork airport is best safeguarded by it remaining for the present as part of the DAA.
With regard to general aviation (private flights etc.), these matters are regulated by the Irish Aviation Authority and at present, I have no plans to alter the current arrangements for regulatory oversight of this sector. However, these matters will be considered within the aviation policy review and I would welcome the Deputy's views on this matter.
55. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans he has to redress the east west imbalance in tourism development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45117/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises that tourism is very important to all regions of Ireland. It generates total revenue of the order of €5.5 billion and employs an estimated 180,000, spread throughout the country. The Government has taken measures to assist the tourism sector generally, including reductions in VAT and employers’ PRSI, the National Internship Scheme and the short term visa waiver programme.
The necessary structures and staffing to deliver "The Gathering Ireland 2013" initiative are also being put in place, which I expect will have a major impact in the Western regions.
Fáilte Ireland is supporting a range of tourism capital investment projects in the West including the Great Western Greenway in Co. Mayo, the Sliabh Liag cliffs project in Donegal, the Wetlands Eco Park in Tralee, Mizen Head Bridge and the re-development of King John's Castle in Limerick. The Wild Atlantic Way, which is currently being developed, will provide a tourist route from Cork to Donegal. Festivals and events in the western half of the country such as the Volvo Ocean race, Galway Arts Festival and the Rose of Tralee also benefit from funding. The wide variety of business supports provided by Fáilte Ireland, such as training, sales and marketing, web enablement, and quality and standards are widely available to tourism enterprises in the regions.
Tourism Ireland works with the airports and airlines to enhance access and increase tourist numbers. They will be launching their marketing plans for 2013 towards the end of the year and will detail how they plan to grow overseas tourism for Ireland, including the Western regions, next year and in the years ahead.
