Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 654: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the proposed Year of the Gathering in 2013; the specific proposals he intends to pursue to attract visitors from overseas; the financial allocation that he expects this project to require; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5460/12]

Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 672: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport If he will provide a progress report on The Gathering 2013 project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5402/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to answer Questions 672 and 654 together.

I presented proposals for "The Gathering 2013" at last October's 2011 Global Irish Economic Forum. Fáilte Ireland is the lead agency for the implementation of The Gathering initiative while Tourism Ireland Limited will have specific responsibility for promoting "The Gathering 2013" in overseas markets. The event is intended to be the biggest tourism initiative ever staged in Ireland and will consist of a year-long programme of festivals, events and other gatherings in every region of the country, all of which will aim to attract overseas visitors.

As outlined at the Global Irish Economic Forum, the initiative is being overseen by a small, tightly-focused Project Board. This project board brings together representatives of the tourism bodies and my Department and includes other members with relevant expertise who are contributing on a pro bono basis. The Chair of the Board is Ann Riordan (formerly Chair of Tourism Ireland and of Dublin Tourism, as well as previously working as Country Manager for Microsoft in Ireland) and the Board will oversee planning and delivery of the Gathering, supported by a small executive team drawn mainly from the tourism agencies alongside graduates under the JobBridge programme.

They will be supported by a Council of Champions, which will act as a forum to engage the wider community at home and abroad to provide support. Tim O'Connor, former Secretary-General to the President, will act as Chair of the Council of Champions and he is also a member of the Project Board. The Project Board is currently finalising the Business Plan for "The Gathering 2013" which will detail the scope of the event and the necessary resources to implement it.