Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if, in view of the report published by Friends of the Earth Ireland named, Ireland's Environment, Common Sense, Not Catastrophe, his plans to implement a green policy for people involved in tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2506/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The nature of the tourism mandate is such that there are a number of important strategic results areas that require other Departments and agencies to deliver on Government policy. One of the key cross-cutting issues is the pursuit of an environmental policy that accommodates the sensitive development and expansion of tourism, with opportunities for the development of rural tourism and the enjoyment of natural resources for tourism, sport and recreation.

The position is that primary responsibility for the protection of the physical environment in Ireland rests with my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

There is widespread acceptance of the importance of good management and conservation practices in maintaining and enhancing the attractiveness of both the built and the natural environment. The tourism development strategy set out in the report of the tourism policy review group, New Horizons for Irish Tourism — An Agenda for Action, provides a model to address cross-departmental issues relating to tourism development, including environmental sustainability.

As I advised the House previously, in my detailed response to Question No. 11 on 17 November 2005, I have asked my officials to review the report referred to by the Deputy in the context of deliberations about the framework for tourism product development post 2006.