Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the tourism renewal implementation group; the remit of this group; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18959/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In July 2010, my predecessor established a Tourism Renewal Implementation Group, which she chaired. This group has not met since my appointment. I have no plans to reconvene the group.

The Programme for Government 2011 sets out Government's priorities for tourism policy, including commitments on access, marketing, visas and product development. The Government's Jobs Initiative delivered on a number of these key commitments, as well as supporting tourism generally, by:

> Reducing VAT for tourism-related goods and services;

> Reducing the cost of employing people by halving employers' PRSI for those on modest wages;

> A three-pronged plan to promote inbound tourism covering the travel tax, passenger charges, and co-operative marketing; and

> A visa waiver scheme to make it easier for tourists from emerging markets to visit Ireland.

In addition to this, tourism will also benefit from Internship and Work Placement programmes, and investment in non-national roads and transport infrastructure.

I am satisfied that tourism policy priorities are being effectively pursued under the Programme for Government by myself and Minister Ring supported our Department and the two tourism agencies. It is also important that the industry plays its part, in partnership with the agencies, and I welcome the establishment of an industry-led Tourism Recovery Taskforce, including Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, to complement the work of Government. As such, I feel little merit in reconvening the Tourism Renewal Implementation Group.