Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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153. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to report on the work of the business events oversight group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15951/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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At a policy level, a Business Tourism Strategy Group was established in 2023 with representation from my Department, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and industry. This group was tasked with developing a strategy and overseeing the development of co-ordination structures for the delivery by the tourism agencies on their respective roles and responsibilities in relation to business tourism.

Work on the Business Events Strategy was completed in 2024. However, subsequent to the Programme for Government and the forthcoming formal transfer of functions for tourism to the Minister for Enterprise, the opportunity has been taken to reframe the Strategy to align with Programme for Government commitments and that Minister's wider remit.

The overarching objective of the Business Events Strategy is to deliver on the value of business events, for tourism and beyond, achieving benefits for the Irish economy and also ensuring positive impacts on our local communities and long-term legacy benefits for the participating sectoral collectives.

The Strategy aims to support and integrate with wider government policies, develop Ireland’s international reputation as an attractive business events destination, and serve as a catalyst for delivering significant economic, social and environmental benefits.

The Business Events Strategy Oversight Group, comprising representation from my Department, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, will oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the Business Events Strategy which I believe will will have a significant impact on the tourism and wider SME sectors.