Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether it is possible to merge Tourism Ireland and Bord Fáilte to save money, create efficiencies and ensure that there is one unified body for tourism here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16360/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the Good Friday Agreement, tourism was designated an area for cooperation under the North-South Ministerial Council. In December 1998, the parties to the Agreement decided that a publicly owned limited company would be established by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the then Bord Fáilte Éireann to carry out functions aimed at promoting tourism to the island of Ireland. The company, Tourism Ireland Limited, was formally incorporated on 11 December 2000.

The Company is accountable to the North South Ministerial Council with funding for its operations being provided by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland and by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in the South. The primary remit of the company is to promote the entire island of Ireland as a tourist destination in overseas markets. It is generally regarded as being highly successful in this regard, by its international peers as well as the tourism industry on the island, with estimated overseas visitors to the island of Ireland increasing from 6.96 million in 2001 to 8.8 million last year representing growth of 26% over that period. The company has offices in Dublin and Coleraine as well as representation in 22 locations overseas. It works closely with Fáilte Ireland, NITB, and the tourism industry in delivering its remit.

Fáilte Ireland was established under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003 to encourage, promote and support tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy. In this regard, its primary functions are the development of quality tourism product, domestic tourism marketing, tourism standards, enterprise support, capacity building and human resource development for the tourism industry. While it makes a vital contribution and does an excellent job, Fáilte Ireland does not have an all-island remit.

In summary, Tourism Ireland's role is to maximise the number of visitors coming to the island of Ireland from overseas while Fáilte Ireland's role is to ensure that the tourism experience in the south is to the highest possible standard. I am satisfied that both organisations have key complementary roles to play in maintaining the valuable contribution of tourism to Ireland's economy. I do not believe that a return to pre-1998 arrangements is appropriate.

Both organisations are aware of the need to ensure maximum value for the money received from the Exchequer and this is reflected in the close cooperation between the two agencies in their operations as well as in their business planning.