Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 789: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the possibility of creating a protected name that could be used by approved bed and breakfast establishments registered under the Tourist Traffic Act, 1939; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38920/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with the provisions of section 8(1) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act, 2003, it is a day-to-day matter for Fáilte Ireland to establish and maintain registers of hotels, guesthouses, holiday camps, holiday hostels, caravan sites, camping sites, approved holiday cottages, holiday apartments, motor hotels and youth hostels. Fáilte Ireland has no legislative authority to maintain a register of bed and breakfast establishments.

At the outset I think it worthwhile to draw the Deputy's attention to a number of documents which are the framework for the promotion and development of our tourism policy generally. That policy is set out in the Agreed Programme for Government, and the strategic drivers are set out in the 2003 Report of the Tourism Policy Review Group, "New Horizons for Irish Tourism – An Agenda for Action", as well as the subsequent reports of the Tourism Action Plan Implementation Group and more recently the Tourism Renewal group. These documents are available on my Department's website, www.dast.gov.ie, and that of the Department of the Taoiseach, www.taoiseach.gov.ie. It is worth noting that none of these documents recommend or propose a mandatory registration system for B&Bs. More recently the Irish Bed and Breakfast Working Group established by Fáilte Ireland recommended a local authority licensing system for Bed and Breakfast establishments and I understand that this proposal and other options are under review by the B&B implementation group with support from Fáilte Ireland.

B&Bs operate primarily as family homes, with many open only for short periods during the high season, or where there is peak demand, such as during festivals. While a compulsory approval system for all B&B accommodation would have some advantages from a tourism promotion policy viewpoint, it is considered that there may be difficulty in gaining acceptance for such a system in respect of what are, in many cases, primarily, non-commercial enterprises. It is considered also that such a system would likely require substantial administration and policing to be effective and the value of putting this in place is questionable where there is no evidence to show that the unlisted sector is causing a major concern for visitors.

I believe that the best approach to develop this sector is to ensure that listed B&Bs have certain advantages over those who choose not to carry Fáilte Ireland accreditation. In this regard unapproved operators are obliged to comply in the same way as the approved sector with requirements in the area of taxation, planning, fire and safety and hygiene. On the other hand, they do not have access to official marketing through Fáilte Ireland and the Tourist Information Offices, nor do they have access to the various training and business skills initiatives that are available to the approved sector.

In keeping with that policy Fáilte Ireland is working with the Irish Homes Bed and Breakfast Implementation Group in the development of a licensing, voluntary classification and categorisation system, supported by a new brand that will be readily identifiable to domestic and international tourists allowing them to choose an establishment that meets their individual expectations in terms of facilities and standards.