Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the National Tourism Development Authority Bill, 2002, and I welcome the Minister to the House. It is not long since he was last here to discuss issues relating to tourism. On that occasion we referred to this new tourism development authority. I welcome the fact that the functions of Bord Fáilte and CERT will be transferred to the new body.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement tourism was designated as an area for cross-Border co-operation and I hope the promotion of tourism on the whole island by the NTDA will be one of the benefits of the Agreement.