John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Gogarty for his comments. I appreciate the constructive manner in which he approaches questions on tourism. Walkways are the responsibility of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs because they are connected to rural development. He set up Comhairle na Tuaithe which it was hoped would resolve outstanding issues between landowners and the tourism industry. We have lost share in terms of walkers entering the country because not all our walkways are open. I appeal to all landowners to whom this applies to co-operate because it is in the interest of everybody.

We have had a very sophisticated product development model in operation for some time. Some €50 million was allocated to the independent board dealing with applications and €12 million has been re-advertised and sanctioned and has yet to be allocated. The applications have arrived in the Department and are being evaluated to improve the tourism product further.

I am concerned about the regional spread of tourism. Although numbers have increased considerably, unfortunately the regional spread that obtained in the past is no longer evident. Accordingly, we have changed the marketing strategy pertaining to all our markets with a view to promoting the regions. For example, if a region has access to a given city or cities in Britain or elsewhere, we try to concentrate marketing of that region in that city or cities. Other such measures are being taken and, with a view to helping the regions, I intend to bring substantive proposals on regional tourism authorities to Government in the very near future.

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