Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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206. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which business tourism continues to be encouraged with the obviously necessity of having to compete internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46059/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy and the tourism agencies, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, deal with the implementation of this policy.

In 2023, my Department established a Business Tourism Strategy Group to prepare an agreed strategy and oversee the development of co-ordination structures for the delivery by the tourism agencies on their respective roles and responsibilities in relation to Business Events.

I recently received from this group a Business Events Strategy which I have accepted and approved. The strategy is the culmination of 18 months of collaboration and engagement between my Department, the tourism agencies and industry stakeholders. The strategy aims to develop Ireland’s international reputation as a responsible and attractive business events destination and a sustainability champion in the hosting of international business events. It will also serve as a catalyst for delivering significant social and environmental benefits through integration with other government policies and strategies.

In the wider context, supporting and promoting international business events is an operational matter for both Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland through the “Meet in Ireland” business events brand for the island of Ireland (www.meetinireland.com/). I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question to both Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland and asked them to reply directly to the Deputy with further information on this matter. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days