John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

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.

See this speech in context