Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount to be spent in 2006 promoting Ireland as a tourist destination abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8267/06]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the projected North American tourist numbers for the 2006 season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8259/06]

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the projected tourist numbers to Ireland from European Union states for the 2006 season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8258/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 62 and 68 together.

For 2006, I secured an unprecedented level of Exchequer resources for tourism development —€138.5 million — representing an increase of over 11% on 2005. This investment will enable the tourism agencies — Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland — to deliver in full their ambitious plans for 2006. This allocation includes the largest ever allocation of €40 million to the tourism marketing fund which supports the promotion of Ireland as a tourism destination abroad.

Tourism Ireland, the all-island marketing agency, expects to receive a total of €64 million from both jurisdictions to enable it deliver its overseas marketing programme. Tourism Ireland also receive additional funding from Fáilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board for the promotion of niche tourism products overseas.

While it is too early to make predictions about this year's season, ambitious growth targets have been set for the year, with almost 5% growth sought in visitor numbers and 6.7% growth targeted for tourism revenue.

Within this overall growth target, Tourism Ireland is targeting growth of 8.5% from the North America market which will see overall numbers exceed the 1 million mark. In order to ensure that this growth can be achieved, Tourism Ireland and an industry steering group are undertaking a review of the North American market to ensure that Ireland is well positioned to grow this market.

From mainland European markets, Tourism Ireland is targeting 8.4% growth in visitor numbers for 2006. This targeted growth will, if achieved, result in visitors numbers from mainland Europe surpassing the 2 million barrier.