Written answers

Thursday, 17 November 2005

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Tourism Industry

5:00 pm

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the way in which the construction involved in Transport 21 will affect tourism over the coming decade whilst works are ongoing; his further views on whether the plan will lead to an irreversible downturn in tourism numbers due to inconveniences caused by the construction; his plans to carry out a study on the effect the transport plan will have on tourism numbers whilst the plan is being implemented; his further views on whether there are ways of combating the negative effects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34876/05]

Photo of Joe HigginsJoe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the recent trends in tourism that have led to a huge influx of tourism in Dublin and the decline in the regions, especially in the west; his views on whether the Transport 21 plan will only serve to increase this imbalance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34877/05]

Photo of John O'DonoghueJohn O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 29 together.

As the Deputies are aware, I am not responsible for implementing Transport 21. That responsibility lies with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen. Any questions regarding the implementation of the plan might be more usefully addressed to him.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to welcome and endorse Transport 21, the Government's radical new initiative to tackle the infrastructure catch up which is required as a result of our unprecedented economic success of recent years. I, my Department and the tourism action plan implementation group have been in close dialogue over the past two years with my colleague, Deputy Cullen, and his Department to ensure that tourism needs are more closely integrated in transport policies and programmes. I believe that Transport 21 addresses this agenda.

As was the case with the enhancement of the DART, the building of the Luas and the delivery of major new motorways, I do not anticipate any sustained negative tourism fallout from the implementation of Transport 21. Indeed, by delivering a much improved transport infrastructure, the plan should have a positive impact on enhancing tourism growth across all parts of the country.

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