David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 82: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his recent policy and initiatives to stimulate tourism nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16514/09]

John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 88: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether the most recent tourism figures indicate a continuation in the downward trend in overseas visitors here, particularly from Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16495/09]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 94: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether Fáilte Ireland will find it difficult to fulfil its purpose in view of the current economic situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16511/09]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the opinion that a focused emphasis on tourism could have a positive impact on tackling economic problems; and his proposals in this regard to encourage same. [16243/09]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 108: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress on the Mid Term Review on the New Horizons in Irish Tourism; when this review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16359/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 324: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he proposes to take specific steps to support the tourism industry in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16785/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 325: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he intends to introduce policy changes with the objective of assisting the tourism sector in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16786/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 326: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will introduce specific incentives to assist the tourism sector in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16787/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 327: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he intends to take special initiatives to facilitate cost cutting in the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16788/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 82, 88, 94, 102, 108 and 324 to 327, inclusive, together.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I may ask any question I wish.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am sure the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will permit it.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We will run out of time if the question is not answered.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I will go through the answer because it is substantial given the magnitude and importance of the question.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am sure it is.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that there was a reduction of 4.3% in the number of overseas visitors to Ireland for the first two months of 2009 compared with the corresponding period of 2008. Overseas visitor numbers for 2008 as a whole were down by 2.2% on the numbers experienced in 2007.

While any reduction in the numbers of overseas visitors is disappointing, the figures must be seen in context. Ireland enjoyed a number of years of successive growth in visitor numbers reaching a record level of just more than 8 million visitors in 2007. Tourism worldwide saw a significant downturn in the second half of 2008 due to the global economic slowdown and loss of consumer confidence. Great Britain was especially affected by this slowdown with the euro to Sterling exchange rate making it very challenging to attract visitors to euro zone destinations.

There is general consensus that 2009 will also be a very difficult one for tourism globally. Nevertheless, the most pessimistic targets set by Tourism Ireland mean that we will still welcome more than 7 million overseas visitors in 2009 with a highly significant benefit to the Irish economy. The industry and the tourism agencies are fighting hard for every bit of tourism business to maximise our share in the months ahead.

In addition to attractive air and sea access fares, there is very good value for money available in tourist accommodation and restaurants at present and bed capacity has increased very significantly in recent years. While our businesses are responding positively to current challenges, it is just as important that the strategic framework for tourism development responds to the changing environment. On 2 December last, I announced the establishment of the Tourism Renewal Group. This high-level group has been tasked with reviewing and, where appropriate, renewing the current tourism strategy, to ensure that the strategy is focused for the short term and, looking further ahead, that the tourist industry is well placed to benefit from the upturn when it comes. I have asked the Tourism Renewal Group to report by the middle of 2009 with recommendations in the form of a framework for action for the period to 2013. I am advised that the Tourism Renewal Group is following an agreed work programme to meet this challenging timetable, commencing with an assessment of the current position and broadly-based consultations, including face-to-face meetings and consideration of written submissions. I understand that the group has held four meetings to date in addition to two full days of consultation meetings with key actors in the tourism and related sectors.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is it true that the Tourism Ireland revised forecasts, to which the Minister referred in his reply, are quite bleak in that they indicate a worst-case scenario of a fall of 15% in revenue and 9% in visitor numbers? Will the Minister agree that this is a time for an imaginative and innovative response to this issue? Will he further agree that we need something urgently, that waiting for the middle of this year for a report before doing anything is a case of too little, too late? Has he any proposals now, as the season is about to start?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I agree with the Deputy that any actions now to solve the problem this year would be very late. All the decisions with regard to this year have already been taken. There has been significant reorientation within the budgets for marketing expenditure, focusing on the different markets and the type of holidays being promoted. The Deputy is probably familiar with the new campaign on television, being broadcast throughout the world, which shows why people should visit Ireland. We have maintained the full tourism marketing spend and there is a significant focus on the UK market because it is likely many UK residents will holiday within the UK and it is hoped they will also come on holiday to Ireland this year. There has also been specific targeting within the US market. The renewal group is studying the strategy for the period up to 2013. Mr. Maurice Pratt is the chair of this group and I commend him on the amount of time he has given to it. He has impressed me greatly because of his commitment of his personal time and effort from which we will all benefit.

The Deputy is correct in that one could not expect a change this year. They have presented a picture of the worst-case scenario which is the figure of 9% and based on significant research carried out in recent times in other markets. The problem is that the other markets are experiencing the same sort of economic situations, in some cases even worse economic situations. We are trying to maximise the number of tourists coming to Ireland. I have said it will be more than 7 million visitors as this was the record only three or four years ago. If we can maintain it over that figure, we will certainly be in a position to win the battle as regards tourism spend in Europe this year.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister has correctly stated that access fares have been coming down in many cases. However, overall access ability, the capacity to access Ireland, has decreased. There has been a significant diversion of flights out of Ireland in particular. This morning, Aer Lingus announced it will be cancelling its Airbus orders which means there will not be growth in the long haul trips to America, upon which so much hope had been placed, for the foreseeable future and we all know how long it takes to deliver an order for a long haul Airbus.

Shannon Airport will have the advantage of providing pre-clearance facilities for US entry, unlike any other city in Europe. Is there anybody out there promoting this advantage to other carriers? If our carriers are not going to be bringing people to America in the numbers we had hoped, then we have to hope that other carriers will land in Shannon and avail of that facility and perhaps bring visitors to Ireland in both directions. Is this the responsibility of the Minister and, if not, whose responsibility is it? It is a once-off opportunity.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

One of the big complaints still being made relates to the cost of eating out and other cost factors in Ireland. These are having a negative impact on people. What initiatives are in place to ensure those costs are reduced and to encourage more tourists, local and international?

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the ban on recruitment in the public service have implications for the hiring by the Office of Public Works of seasonal staff to man OPW facilities around the country?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In reply to Deputy Mitchell, as a matter of interest I met with Continental Airlines representatives when I was in Houston which is its main hub. This was one of the reasons for my visit to America for the St. Patrick's day festivities. The airline is very robust in its attitude to Ireland. It is confident about the current number of its flights and sees great potential for expansion. It is very aware of the Shannon pre-clearance proposals and the facilities at Dublin and these are regarded as a great boost to the use of Shannon Airport. I confirm that the airlines are acutely aware of this proposal. It is under the remit of the Minister for Transport but the process is now being finalised with the US State Department and discussions are ongoing. These facilities are staffed from the US as opposed to this country.

In reply to Deputy Upton, there has been a natural and substantial decline in costs which is having a positive effect and there has been significant discounting in the tourism sector, both in hotel accommodation and in restaurants. I know that in Dublin the level of discounting has been up to about 20% which is rebalancing the competitiveness of Ireland. One of the benefits of the current economic scenario is that our tourism sector is becoming more competitive when compared with some of our international competitors. This is to our advantage when marketing Irish tourism, within the US and the UK and throughout continental Europe.

On the OPW, it is hoped that issues will be resolved. I understand the point made by Deputy Naughten. It is important to have the maximum number of facilities open for as long as possible over the weekends and at bank holidays. Improvements in opening hours were made last year but there are certain financial constraints which we hope can be overcome.