Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)

I thank the Minister for the final sentence of his reply. He will be aware that in March 2004 he met the chief executive officer of ILAM, Mr. Killian Fisher, who recalls that at the end of a 26 minute meeting, the Minister indicated he would give the discussion due consideration before getting back to ILAM. Is he aware of ILAM's concern that he did not do so, although this may have been an oversight on the part of his Department?

Notwithstanding his comments on the lack of a direct involvement by his Department, will the Minister formally endorse the white flag system? The awards are no longer made by An Taisce, as I mistakenly indicated in my question. Given that leisure facilities are not subject to legislation or regulation, does the Minister intend in the near future to introduce legislation to regulate the sector? If so, will he use the opportunity to formalise the white flag awards? If not, will he categorically and formally endorse the awards and allow ILAM and the 11 organisations involved in the white flag jury to proceed with their important work of promoting good standards in leisure management?

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