Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has given particular instructions with regard to the development of tourism in the provinces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21280/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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There was a welcome increase to almost 7 million in the number of visitors to the country last year. Domestic tourism has also shown robust growth. It is true that all regions have not benefited equally from recent growth in tourism and this continues to be a matter receiving attention from both my Department and the State tourism agencies.

Just over a year ago Fáilte Ireland commissioned PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to conduct a major study of regional tourism structures. The report was published last year and is available on the Fáilte Ireland Website. This work was supplemented by a short engagement, facilitated by a small independent group chaired by Mr. John Travers, with the relevant parties in order to satisfy interests in the Dublin region that the mechanisms of consultation were complete.

At the end of July last, I authorised Fáilte Ireland to proceed with the proposed revision of regional tourism structures on the basis of the PWC and Travers reports. To assist this process, Fáilte Ireland set up an Implementation Group under the chairmanship of Mr. Finbarr Flood. The Group has completed an extensive process of engagement with the existing Regional Tourism Authorities, industry representative groups and other relevant parties, in order to smooth the process of implementation. I understand that the Group recently presented its report to Fáilte Ireland and that Fáilte Ireland is now acting on its contents.

I also understand that Fáilte Ireland is gearing up its own internal structures to line up with the proposed new structures at regional level. A new senior management position of Director of Regional Development is expected to be filled very shortly and a due diligence process with each of the RTAs is almost complete.

Fáilte Ireland has advised me that it expects that the changes will be implemented in the regions by the end of the summer.