John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 1068: To ask the Minister for Transport the action which is being taken to promote cruise liners stopping in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28847/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Primary responsibility for the promotion of the Irish cruise sector rests with Cruise Ireland. Cruise Ireland is an all Ireland non-profit voluntary marketing initiative that was established in 1994, to promote Ireland as a destination for cruise ships. The Cruise Ireland initiative originally brought together Bord Fáilte, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, seven port authorities from the Republic, two port authorities from Northern Ireland and three tour operators. All of these bodies, including Tourism Ireland, which is the all Ireland agency responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a holiday destination, are still actively engaged in supporting the Cruise Ireland initiative.

Port companies play a key role in the promotion of cruise tourism and local tourism interests are being encouraged to play an increasing role in the promotion of the sector.

The world cruise industry's major convention is held every year in Miami. For the last three years, Irish Ministers of State have attended these Seatrade Cruise Conventions, to support the work of Cruise Ireland and the marketing of Ireland as a cruise destination.

The Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO), the shipping sector's dedicated development agency, also supports the work of Cruise Ireland. The IMDO estimates that the cruise industry was worth over €100 million to the economy in 2005. Passenger numbers increased by 28% from 146,000 passengers in 2004 to over 187,000 in 2005, with an estimated 55% of those visitors being American nationals. The IMDO forecasts further growth in cruise passenger numbers this year.