Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 12: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to recent comments from the head of Dublin Tourism (details supplied) that Dublin's status as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe is attributable in a large part to the efforts of Dublin Tourism; his views on whether any move to amalgamate Dublin Tourism with Fáilte Ireland would harm Dublin's tourism potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20278/05]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 19: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has completed his review of the report (details supplied) on the RTAs; if he intends to implement the recommendation contained in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20190/05]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 30: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the future of the 68 Dublin Tourism outlets and offices are secure in view of the report (details supplied) advocating the abolition of the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20279/05]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 44: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received a copy of the report (details supplied) that advocates the abolition of Dublin Tourism; if so, his views on the report; his further views on whether Dublin Tourism should be amalgamated with Fáilte Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20277/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 19, 30 and 44 together.

As I advised the House on 10 May 2005, there has been a major reform of Irish tourism structures in recent years with the setting up of Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. Reform of the function, role and operational structure of regional tourism is the third and final leg of that reform process.

The House will be aware that I have no direct responsibility in relation to the most appropriate regional structures for the discharge of Fáilte Ireland's functions and the relationships and arrangements that should apply at regional level — this is effectively a day-to-day matter for Fáilte Ireland itself.

The House will also be aware that, in response to a recommendation in the tourism action plan set out in the Report of the Tourism Policy Review Group, Fáilte Ireland commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers, PWC, to conduct a major consultancy study of regional tourism structures as it sought to determine how best to carry out its new development mandate countrywide. I received a copy of that report on 13 April last, together with a letter from the chair of the Fáilte Ireland Authority indicating that the authority endorsed the recommendations in the report at its meeting on Thursday, 7 April. This report has been published and widely circulated by Fáilte Ireland and is available on its website.

I have been informed by Fáilte Ireland that the PWC report highlights the need for a much wider brief for regional tourism, playing a strategic rather than administrative role and inputting more directly into national policy. It recommends a greatly increased emphasis on targeted marketing, product development and enterprise support. It suggests establishing an integrated linkage between regional tourism strategy and national policy and exploiting avenues to leverage increased resources.

As far as the Dublin region is concerned, the authority arranged for a short engagement with the relevant parties in order to satisfy interests in the Dublin region that the mechanisms of consultation were complete. A small independent group, chaired by Mr. John Travers, facilitated this process and I understand that the issue was discussed yesterday at a meeting of the Fáilte Ireland Authority. I also understand that Mr. Travers will be submitting his group's report shortly to Fáilte Ireland, following which the authority will make known its views to me.

My consideration of the policy implications of these views, together with the views of the industry, will continue over the coming weeks. I will be discussing the issue with the regional tourism authorities prior to the implementation by Fáilte Ireland of any changes to the existing regional arrangements.

As I have said previously, there will be changes on foot of the PWC report. My key concern is to ensure that whatever changes are made result in more efficient and effective regional structures to service the needs of the visitor and the needs of the industry. The background work towards achieving this objective has been substantially completed and I expect to be in a position to take further steps towards implementation in the near future.