John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

Senator Daly raises a very good point. No relationship between the new authority, to be known as Fáilte Éireann, and the Shannon Free Airport Development Company is proscribed or specified in the legislation, nor is any proscribed between the new authority and any other regional tourism body. The question of structures has exercised many minds over several years and it is best to address the structure in question in the context of the review I have ordered into tourism policy. The final report is expected to be completed towards the end of April next.

Many argue there is duplication in terms of promoting tourism in Ireland and are of the view the organisation could be slimmed down to avoid that duplication. It is important to have a regional input in the tourism policy. In general terms, the regional tourism bodies have been a success, one such example is Shannon Free Airport Development Company. If we are to look at tourism policy it is necessary to see whether the structures, as presently constituted, make the best contribution possible. I have asked the review group to look at that issue and will await its report before coming to a decision on how to proceed. Suffice it to say the Bill does not deal with the relationship which Senator Daly has raised. However, the relationship between the regional structures and the new authority is of considerable importance in the context of how to proceed with the development of Irish tourism.