Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

It is obvious that next year's centenary of the Titanic sailing presents significant opportunities for Irish tourism and work is already under way to ensure the benefits are maximised. Tourism Ireland commenced its Titanic promotion activities last September with a week-long showcase in the Grand Central terminal in New York. It has also set up a dedicated Titanic website and has brought overseas journalists to Cobh to highlight the links to the Titanic. I understand that just last week, the agency met with the Cobh and harbour chamber of commerce to discuss future activity and has also met with the organisers of Cobh 100. Similarly, I understand Fáilte Ireland is meeting with the town council in Cobh this week to explore how to develop a calendar of events around the centenary and promote these events to the overseas trade and media.

With regard to co-operation with Northern Ireland, as the Deputy is aware, tourism was specifically identified in the Good Friday Agreement as one of the key areas for North-South cooperation, and consequently it is one of the sectors on which the North-South Ministerial Council meets in sectoral format, to make decisions on common policies and approaches in the area of tourism. Arrangements are being finalised for the next meeting in sectoral format at which I will meet the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland, Ms Arlene Foster, MLA. With its historic connections to both Belfast and Cobh, the Titanic story is one with obvious potential for co-operation and I understand the agenda for the next sectoral meeting will permit discussion of major tourism events on the island next year, including the Titanic centenary.

With regard to the budget for tourism-related promotion of the centenary, it is a matter for the agencies to decide on best use of resources. I understand that their plans for this year include Titanic-related promotional activity as already outlined.

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