Dáil debates

Thursday, 17 November 2005

4:00 pm

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the potential negative effects on tourism if recommendations are not adhered to in light of the report published by Friends of the Earth Ireland (details supplied); his plans to implement a green policy regarding those involved in tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34885/05]

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The report referred to by the Deputy has just been brought to the attention of my Department, and I have now asked my officials to review it in the context of the deliberations on the possible framework for tourism product development, post 2006. It is widely acknowledged that one of the strategic challenges for Irish tourism over the next ten years, in the area of product development, lies in managing the natural and built environment in ways that maintain and enhance their attractiveness for the benefit of domestic and overseas visitors.

Tourism is a sector that is firmly rooted in the natural and built environment and in the people and culture of Ireland. One of the key tourism objectives within An Agreed Programme for Government is to encourage the sensitive development of tourist areas and environmental best practice among providers. The demand for environmentally sustainable tourism development is one of the factors that influenced the work of the tourism policy review group and, therefore, the new strategy for tourism development now being rolled out by my Department, in consultation with the tourism industry.

The September 2003 report of the tourism policy review group, New Horizons for Irish Tourism: An Agenda for Action, pointed out that there is widespread acceptance of the importance of good management and conservation practices in maintaining and enhancing the attractiveness of both the built and the natural environment. At the same time, rapid growth has resulted in other pressures on the environment, including congestion, inappropriate development in sensitive areas and waste management systems that are inconsistent with modern day standards and the green image of Ireland.

The development strategy set out in the report provides a model to address interdepartmental issues relating to tourism development, including environmental sustainability. It complements a range of official work and participation in interdepartmental committees on environment-related issues. The nature of my Department's mandate is such that there are a number of important strategic results areas where it interacts with other Departments and agencies in order to deliver on Government policy. One of the key cross-cutting issues is the pursuit of an environmental policy that accommodates the sensitive development and expansion of tourism with opportunities for the development of rural tourism and the enjoyment of natural resources for tourism, sport and recreation.

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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I welcome the fact that the Minister is to investigate the report and obviously, this is something we can come back to at a later stage. The report highlights water pollution and waste as two features that will affect tourism. One is concerned with the number of fish kills that have occurred, the quality of water etc.

As regards the beaches aspect, will the Minister say whether there is a concerted effort to ensure that we have as many blue flag beaches as possible? Is there some mechanism within his Department for checking this because that is one of the highlights of a region, especially for children, where a family has come to Ireland on holiday. It is essential that beaches are top quality.

As regards waste, obviously the Tidy Towns competition has a major input. In the overall context, however, what plans has the Minister or his Department for improving the situation?

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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All my Department can do as regards the issues raised by Deputy Wall is to encourage the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to control waste and ensure there are as many beaches as possible that qualify for blue flags. These are issues for that Department. Under the report, New Horizons for Irish Tourism: An Agenda for Action, to which I have referred, various measures are proposed for assisting with the environment, which is recognised to be very important. In that respect the group has been in touch with various Departments in order to advance the 70 plus recommendations it has made.