Regional tourism organisations and local authorities
Sherlock asked about restructuring regional tourism organisations and involving local authorities in tourism promotion. The Minister stressed local authorities’ role in protecting the clean environment needed to sell Ireland as a tourism destination.
Price Waterhouse specifically stated that their findings showed that 56 per cent of the people who holidayed in Ireland were dissatisfied. Does the Minister propose to take on board the recommendation that the regional tourism organisations should be restructured and integrated into Bord Fáilte? Does he think there ought to be local authority involvement where there is no structure such as a regional tourism organisation? Does he see a direct involvement role by local authorities in the promotion of tourism?
Comment on this
The Deputy's question is an important one. If we want to sell a "green" holiday, a holiday of pure air, clean streams and rivers, the local authorities have the paramount role in that regard. I know the Department of the Marine also have legal responsibility in this area, but local authorities have a serious obligation, in view of things that have happened in the very recent past, to facilitate us in selling our tourism product.