Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to encourage the development of tourism here in 2009 with particular reference to the competitiveness of the international market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9036/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Despite an extremely challenging global economic environment, final year figures for 2008, which were recently published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), show that Ireland's visitor numbers held up well, making a vital contribution to employment, export earnings and tax receipts in our economy. Almost eight million overseas visitors came to Ireland in 2008 representing the second highest yearly figure ever recorded and a very slight reduction of 2.2% on the record levels of 2007.

The 2009 business plans for the key tourism agencies, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, are designed to support the marketing of Irish tourism, to improve our product offerings and to help improve business capability. These are being supported by the positive response of the tourism sector at enterprise level to the challenges we face.

While I know that our businesses and tourism agencies are responding constructively to current challenges, it is just as important that the strategic framework for tourism development responds to the changing environment. Accordingly, I established the Tourism Renewal Group, which has been tasked with reviewing and, where appropriate, renewing the current tourism strategy, set out in the "New Horizons" report, in order to ensure that this strategy is focused for the short term and that the tourist industry is well placed to benefit from the upturn when it comes.

The Group's work is ongoing and I have asked them to report back to me by the middle of 2009, following its considerations, with recommendations in the form of a Framework for Action.

Furthermore, one of my priorities as Minister is to ensure that the tourism agenda is accommodated in all the relevant policies and programmes that impact on tourism. This is being put into practice on an ongoing basis by my Department and the tourism agencies through engagement with the relevant Departments and agencies on their policies and programmes.

I am confident that, in partnership with the sector, we can plan for current and future challenges and take appropriate action to meet them, thereby ensuring that Irish tourism continues on a path of sustainable growth over the medium term.