Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I asked this question because it was obvious that several Departments had some connection with and involvement in the development of the tourism industry. It often seems that certain Departments do not know what others are doing. I will give the Minister some examples of what I am talking about. When I was travelling on one of the new super trains recently, I was told that bicycles could not be transported on them. The efforts of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to promote cycling as a holiday activity are being stymied by the introduction by the Department of Transport, through CIE, of new trains which cannot carry bicycles. I was in attendance when the Minister recently launched a new walks committee under the aegis of the Irish Sports Council. It seems the committee will operate independently of the walks development unit of Tourism Ireland. The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is responsible for the development of the tourism product in coastal areas but it does not seem to engage in great contact with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in that regard.

Decisions being taken in the Departments I have mentioned, as well as the Departments of Finance; Education and Science; and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, impinge on the tourism product and affect the future of the tourism industry. It is obvious that there is little communication between the various Departments and the lead Department in this regard — the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. Other countries have established bodies to co-ordinate their responses to various issues in this area. The tourism industry will increase in importance as the agriculture and fishing industries continue to decline in many rural areas. Tourism is our main hope. A number of reports I have seen have recommended a greater focus on joined-up thinking and cross-departmental co-operation, but it is obvious that such progress is not happening. I strongly recommend that we take such an approach.

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