Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a detailed account of the plans to merge Shannon Development’s functions with Fáilte Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57261/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Government decided in May 2012 to restructure Shannon Development and to transfer its enterprise support functions to Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, and its tourism functions to Fáilte Ireland. The transitional arrangements associated with these moves were examined over the following months as part of the work of a Change Management Task Force.

This decision was confirmed by Government on 27th November as part of the broader decision to grant Shannon Airport full independence from the Dublin Airport Authority and merge the airport with a restructured Shannon Development to form a new, publicly-owned, commercial entity in 2013.

It is envisaged that the tourism functions of Shannon Development, together with the associated staff, will transfer to Fáilte Ireland in the first few months of 2013.  Provison will be made in my Department's 2013 allocation to Fáilte Ireland for the associated pay and programme costs.  In advance of this, both agencies are collaborating in the preparation of 2013 Operational Plans for the Mid-West region and ensuring continuity in the provision of services to tourism businesses.  As part of this process they are in regular consultation with tourism industry in the region.