25 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the funding levels for Tourism Ireland Limited; the progress which has been made in relation to Tourism Ireland Limited to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22406/01]

35 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the funding levels for Tourism Ireland Limited; the progress which has been made in relation to Tourism Ireland Limited to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22433/01]

59 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the progress made to date regarding the establishment of Tourism Ireland; the functions it will take over from Bord Fáilte; when it will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22321/01]

162 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the funding levels for Tourism Ireland Limited; the progress which has been made in relation to Tourism Ireland Limited to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22649/01]

I propose to take Questions

Nos. 25, 35, 59 and 162 together.

I am pleased to report that good progress is being made in relation to the start-up of Tourism Ireland Limited, TIL, with the intention of the company becoming fully operational for the 2002 marketing season.

Tourism Ireland Limited was formally incorporated on 11 December 2000 by the North-South Ministerial Council and its board of directors was appointed on 19 December. The board of directors has been meeting regularly since then. The functions of the company are set out in detail in its memorandum of association. In summary, the new company will have responsibility for Tourism Brand Ireland, strategic all-island destination marketing in all markets outside the island of Ireland, international roll-out of regional and product marketing programmes formulated by Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the operation of the overseas office network.

A chief executive has been in place since July and the company recently placed public advertisements for 17 new positions, both in Dublin and Coleraine. Negotiations in relation to the formal transfer of staff from Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board are continuing with the trade unions. Meanwhile work is nearing finalisation on a new all-island tourism marketing destination advertising campaign which is due to be launched in early November, together with TIL's marketing plans for 2002.