Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The report of the tourism renewal group, published in October 2009, set out the tourism sector's contribution to Ireland's economic and social development and its prospects in a changed world economy. It made recommendations in the form of a framework for action for tourism survival, recovery and growth from 2009 to 2013. This framework contains five survival actions to minimise the impact of current challenges and nine recovery actions to set tourism back on a growth path as the world economy recovers.

The renewal group also proposed that, given the progress made on implementing the actions set out in the tourism development strategy, New Horizons, a broadly similar approach should be adopted to the implementation of its recommendations including the establishment of a renewal implementation group.

In advance of formal mechanisms or specific implementation arrangements, departmental officials have been working hard to progress the recommended actions and measures. The focus initially has been on the survival actions which are being pursued with the tourism agencies and other relevant Departments and bodies.

My Department's priority has been on achieving progress on the framework rather than on formal mechanisms or processes. For example, building on the renewal group's framework for action, along with the Government's wider strategy for economic renewal, the 2010 budget recognised the tourism sector as a critical and labour-intensive sector for which it provided an increase in the overall tourism services budget. This included maintaining levels of investment in overseas marketing, as well as sustaining investment in tourism product through a significantly increased capital allocation. Budget 2010 also introduced further measures, both cross-cutting and tourism-specific, to support the sector and to help it recover.

Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland have built in the relevant renewal group recommendations to their business and marketing plans for 2010. Departmental officials are also working with a range of other organisations to develop opportunities to focus resources, to achieve common objectives and to maximise the impact on tourism.

Notwithstanding that a formal renewal implementation group has not been established to date, good progress has been made on implementing the group's recommendations. Drawing on its report, and complemented by general supports for enterprise, the Department is identifying the right measures and working with other Departments and the tourism agencies to drive their delivery. The objective is to position the tourism sector for recovery and growth as the Irish and global economies get back on track. I am considering what mechanisms may best ensure continued good progress on establishing the framework for recovery and growth. I expect to make an announcement in that regard in the coming weeks, following consultation with appropriate interests.

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