Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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521. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the grave uncertainty regarding Brexit is impacting negatively on the hotel and hospitality sectors; the steps he will take to address these impacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22954/17]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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Following what was a record year for overseas visitors to Ireland in 2016, figures published by the CSO showed that overseas visitors for the period February to April 2017 were slightly up (+0.1%) on the same period in 2016. Whilst there was strong growth from the North American market, up by over 25%, visitors from Britain were down 10.7% year on year. It is clear that the Sterling depreciation following the Brexit referendum has made Ireland, and every other Eurozone country, more expensive for British travellers than was the case previously. This has led some British holidaymakers to holiday at home this year.

In 2016, Irish hotels performed well with the number of bednights up 6.6%. Recent CSO data indicates that hotel bednights in the first quarter of 2017 were in line with 2016. Whilst the number of visitors from Britain staying in hotels is down, this has been offset by increases from other areas. I am conscious that certain regions may feel a greater impact from the drop in British visitors.

The tourism agencies are engaged in the operational aspects of preparing for Brexit. Tourism Ireland is responsible for marketing Ireland as a tourism destination overseas. In broad terms, its strategy involves two main elements. Firstly, it has taken steps to revise its marketing effort in Britain to make it more relevant in a Brexit environment. As well as this, it is implementing a market diversification strategy. This aims to attract more visitors from markets which deliver longer stays and, therefore, higher revenue returns. The significant increase in visitors from North America in early 2017 is evidence of this.

For its part, Fáilte Ireland is also working on a number of fronts to assist the diversification and development of our tourism industry and the attractiveness of our tourism product offering. Ongoing work to develop the main experience brands and enhance visitor experiences is aimed at boosting our appeal to key target markets and priority consumer segments. With regard to training and business supports, Fáilte Ireland offers a suite of supports to enhance the competitiveness, enterprise capability and sustainability of the tourism sector. In addition, it is creating a new Brexit Response Programme that will focus on delivering a Capability Building programme for Industry.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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522. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the negotiations he has held with his counterparts across the EU and UK regarding Brexit and the maintaining of the open skies policy to ensure aviation connectivity. [25638/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The opening of negotiations with the UK regarding their exit from the EU commenced on the 19th of June. The Government has been clear that its approach is aimed at minimising the impact of Brexit on our trade and economy and an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU. The Government recognises that there is a desire to have clarity and certainty on every detail of the future EU-UK relationship as quickly as possible. However, we also need to be realistic about the process we are heading into, and the time it will take to reach a full conclusion.

It is too early in the Brexit process to speculate in any detail on the possible impacts or outcomes in areas such as the Single Aviation Market. These questions relate primarily to the future relationship of the EU and the UK and negotiations on such matters have not yet begun. When they do begin Ireland will be ready for those negotiations and the necessary preparations and consultations are underway.

I have had a number of meetings with my EU counterparts, UK counterparts and the European Commissioner on Brexit, most recently at the Transport Council in Luxembourg earlier this month. These meetings were very useful in promoting an understanding of transport and tourism Brexit implications for Ireland, including the potential implications for the open skies policy and connectivity. Details of these meetings are summarised in tabular form: