Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism when the implementation group, established to implement the recommendations of the new horizons for Irish tourism, will report to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15360/04]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has identified any obstacles to the development or growth of the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15688/04]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 252 together.

The challenges facing the tourism industry have been clearly articulated in the Report of the Tourism Policy Review Group, New Horizons for Irish Tourism — An Agenda for Action, which was launched last September. Not alone did the report devise a future strategy for the continued development of the sector, it recommended a comprehensive two-year tourism action plan listing an integrated set of actions that should be implemented before end 2005.

As I previously advised the House, most recently in response to Question No. 163 of 6 April 2004, the terms of reference for the high level group I appointed to advise on, and drive forward, the implementation of the tourism action plan provide that the group will report to me every six months. The first meeting of the group was in February 2004 and I look forward to receiving their first report in August next.