Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is considering a comprehensive analysis of the cohesiveness of the relevant tourism promotion and development bodies in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6952/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Fáilte Ireland was established under the National Tourism Development Authority Act 2003, following the amalgamation of Bord Fáilte Éireann and CERT, to encourage, promote and support tourism. Its primary functions are the development of quality tourism product, domestic tourism marketing, tourism standards, enterprise support, capability building and human resource development for the tourism industry. Tourism was specifically designated as an area for co-operation under the Good Friday Agreement. 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 related to the promotion of tourism to the island of Ireland. The company, Tourism Ireland Limited, was formally incorporated on 11 December 2000. Tourism Ireland 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 with responsibility for tourism in the South. The primary remit of the company is to promote the island of Ireland as a tourist destination in overseas markets. The company works closely with Fáilte Ireland, NITB, and the tourism industry in delivering its remit.

The close working relationship between the organisations is strengthened by the fact that the chief executive of Fáilte Ireland sits on the board of Tourism Ireland. The Fáilte Ireland Authority also meets the board of Tourism Ireland on an ongoing basis to discuss issues of mutual interest on tourism. I understand that the chief executive of Tourism Ireland regularly attends the meetings of the Fáilte Ireland board on an observer basis. Furthermore, the chief executives and senior management teams in Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland work hard to foster closer working relationships between the agencies. This includes joint preparation of marketing programmes. I am satisfied that these arrangements ensure the State tourism agencies act in a cohesive manner in delivering on their tourism promotion and development remits. Having said that, the Government believes it is important that all State agencies constantly review and monitor their operations to ensure optimal returns are received for public investment. I am aware that the tourism agencies are already working to share services, where possible, with a view to driving economies. Any change to Tourism Ireland would require agreement with the Northern Ireland authorities in the overall North-South framework. I hope to meet my Northern counterpart after the Assembly elections. I have no intention of carrying out a comprehensive review at present. It should be noted that Tourism Ireland, along with the other North-South bodies, are subject to review as part of the St. Andrews Agreement Review, work on which I understand is to conclude in the near future. However, if the Deputy has any suggestions on this matter, I ask him to make them known to my office.