Written answers

Wednesday, 8 October 2008

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Tourism Promotion

9:00 pm

Photo of Seymour CrawfordSeymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he had meetings with his opposite number in the Northern Ireland Assembly or the UK towards the increased development of the island of Ireland as a tourism product; the success of such a meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33822/08]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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North South cooperation on tourism has been ongoing for a number of years and continues on a regular basis between the relevant Departments North and South and the respective tourism agencies.

As the Deputy will be aware, tourism was specifically identified in the Good Friday Agreement as an area of cooperation. Even before the Agreement however, there was significant co-operation in tourism. Joint marketing started in the mid 1990s through the Overseas Tourism Marketing Initiative (OTMI).

Most recently, on the 29th May I met with the then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland, Nigel Dodds MP, MLA at a North South Ministerial Council Meeting in Tourism Sectoral format. The meeting was held in Enniskillen and was also attended by Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development. Among the issues discussed at the meeting were:

Progress on the implementation of Tourism Ireland's Business Plan for 2008

Current challenges facing the tourism sector on the island of Ireland

Tourism Ireland's proposals to open a New and Developing Markets hub office to service markets such as China and India

The scope for further cooperation on tourism statistics.

A further North South Ministerial Council Meeting in Tourism Sectoral format is scheduled for the 20th November at which I look forward to meeting the current Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster MLA. Work is ongoing on finalising an agenda for this meeting.

In addition to formal North South Ministerial Council meetings, I would also occasionally meet my counterpart from the Northern Ireland Assembly at various tourism related events arranged by Tourism Ireland.

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