Seanad debates
Wednesday, 27 November 2002
National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002: Second Stage.
I welcome the introduction of the Bill. The Fine Gael group is broadly in favour of its contents. There are many differing views on how the tourism industry should proceed. It is true that CERT and Bord Fáilte fulfil a distinct role in the industry. As the Minister correctly said, CERT was set up in 1963 as a subsidiary of Bord Fáilte so, in one sense, this is a return to the position which existed in the past. I agree with what the Minister said in regard to Tourism Ireland. In recent months it has shown that it is working well promoting Ireland as a tourist destination. Given the context in which it was set up, that is, as part of the Good Friday Agreement and cross-Border co-operation between North and South, it is important that Tourism Ireland has been a success. It shows how cross-Border initiatives in areas of mutual concern can be beneficial and work from a business perspective.
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