Dáil debates

Thursday, 25 October 2007

3:00 pm

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 5: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the Shannon marketing initiative, promised in the context of the open skies agreement and valued at €53 million will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25787/07]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Transport is finalising an economic and tourism development plan for the wider Shannon Airport catchment area which has been prepared in consultation with the Departments of Finance; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; and my own Department. The plan seeks to help the region respond to the challenges and opportunities emerging in the context of the EU-US open skies agreement.

Tourism agencies are acutely aware of the need to respond in a positive way to these challenges and both officials from my Department and I have been in dialogue with them about this. In the context of open skies, the Government is committed, under its programme, to providing "marketing support to the Shannon region for a transitional period to help consolidate existing markets and develop new sources of business".

In line with the commitment in the programme for Government, an appropriate tourism initiative has been formulated in the context of the development of the plan and I expect that, subject to approval of the plan, fuller details will emerge shortly. The Government has made no commitment to the specific sum of money mentioned by the Deputy, and both my predecessor and myself have made it clear that demands for funding should be realistic.

Subject to final approval, I would expect the initiative to focus on the wider western catchment, from Kerry to Donegal; be within the existing super-regions framework, in very close co-operation with the tourism agencies and key local industry interests with which I have already been in contact; and to be innovative, creative and have a strong digital media content.

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister. I accept the figure came from the regional authority but it was certainly led to believe by the previous Minister for Transport that the amount would be forthcoming. It now appears their plan, which involved all the stakeholders putting that plan together, is being dropped in favour of a plan coming from the various Departments involved. It is coming far too late.

Leaving aside what has happened with the Heathrow slots since, this package was meant to help the region benefit from the open skies agreement, not to find itself being disadvantaged by it. We have known about this for years and the promise was made to provide a package to help the region capitalise on the possibilities of open skies. Other airlines, airports and countries have been securing their markets and arranging transatlantic routes while Ireland has been sitting on its hands. There has been no active aviation policy coming from this country.

Considering we are an island country largely dependent on aviation, a sector that is very volatile, we cannot have either a passive or reactive aviation policy. It must be aggressive, on the ball and anticipate problems. Does the Minister accept this package is, if not too late, needed urgently? It must be quickly put together. What kind of timescale is involved?

4:00 pm

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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It is a matter of urgency that we get on with this package, and much of it is being dealt with in the context of the upcoming Estimates and budgetary process. We should approach part of the issue in that manner. I had a very good meeting recently with the Irish Hotels Federation and I also met with various bodies in the Shannon region. I had good discussions with their representatives in recent days regarding how we can best prepare the region for open skies and in respect of the challenging and competitive environment that exists.

Shannon can continue to avail of a growing tourism market. I will not bore Members by referring to the statistics but it is clear the numbers of visitors to the region have been increasing, as have visitor revenues. For the first seven months of this year, the numbers coming into the region increased significantly. In my opinion, the region can continue to avail of a strong growth in inward tourism by remaining competitive. The Minister for Transport is preparing the plan and he will bring it forward as soon as our work in respect of it concludes.

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I realise the Minister does not have sole responsibility for this matter. He did, however, refer to preparing for open skies. It is too late to do so because open skies is already with us. I ask the Minister to impress on his colleagues in Cabinet the urgency relating to his matter.

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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We have been discussing open skies for a long period. It will be next year before flights begin to operate under this policy.

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The effects are already with us.

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Everyone must do what he or she can to prepare Shannon for that eventuality.