Irish Ferries.

16. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism of the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries Company to get them to reverse their decision, which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21589/97]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid): I understand the decision by Irish Ferries, a privately owned company, to discontinue the use of Cork port was taken on purely commercial considerations and as such I have no function in the matter. The company has announced an improved and upgraded continental cruiseferry service for the 1998 season between Rosslare, Cherbourg and Roscoff. This service will increase capacity for tourist traffic, vehicles and freight business and I welcome the company's continued commitment to the Continental route. I understand the service will begin next April and will operate according to a new schedule which allows for consistent departure and arrival times with early morning arrival times in France and Ireland to better facilitate passengers driving onwards to their holiday destinations.

I have not spoken directly to Irish Ferries about its decision to discontinue the use of Cork port, but my colleague, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Woods, replied to Deputies in the House on the Adjournment on 19 November on this matter.

It is too early to assess what impact, if any, the decision to discontinue the use of Cork port will have on flows of Continental tourists to and within Ireland. The new vessel being chartered by Irish Ferries will provide for increased capacity for tourist traffic and vehicles and will offer higher standards of on-board facilities which should prove attractive to potential visitors. While the distribution of visitor flows within Ireland is primarily a matter for the regional tourism authorities and the tourism industry, I am concerned about improving regional spread generally, as we all know that recent growth in tourism has not been benefiting all regions to the same extent.

Last month I announced an extra £5 million for Bord F·ilte by way of Supplementary Estimate this year, which will facilitate tourism promotion and marketing for the coming season. I have asked Bord F·ilte to design a series of initiatives for the 1998 campaign, targeted not only at maintaining tourism growth but more particularly at addressing regional spread. Further details of this initiative will be announced after I move the Supplementary Estimate for my Department in the House on 11 December.

Mr. Allen: While the Minister has given a clearcut description of the service out of Wexford will he agree the decision by Irish Ferries will have a decidedly negative effect on the tourism industry in the Cork-Kerry region in a year when the Tour de France is coming to the area? Has the Minister had discussions with top management in Irish Ferries, a private company, to encourage it to reverse its decision? Has the Minister expressed concern about the contraction of passenger numbers through Cork port?

Dr. McDaid: When I met representatives of Irish Ferries to discuss some general matters recently the specific matter of the Cork-France ferry service was not brought to my attention. I can, however, allay the Deputy's fears. Demand for access by sea has been decreasing in recent years. Between 1992 and 1996 there was a 30 per cent decrease in capacity on continental ferry service routes.

Mr. Allen: Out of Cork port?

Dr. McDaid: I am referring to the service to continental Europe.

Mr. Allen: The figures for Cork port are up.

Dr. McDaid: There was an open competition between the two ferry ports to provide a service to three ferry ports in France. There has been a 30 per cent decrease in recent years but this has been more than offset by an increase in air traffic-----

Mr. Allen: Out of Dublin.

Dr. McDaid: No, there has been an increase in all regions, including Cork. There has been a 9 per cent increase in capacity on cross-channel routes. This has resulted in an increase of 264,000 passengers. Irish passengers and tourists are opting to travel to continental Europe via Britain.

Mr. Allen: Will the Minister produce figures to stand over his assertion that there has been a reduction? There may have been a 30 per cent reduction nationally but there has been a major increase in traffic between Cork and continental Europe.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: A question, please.

Mr. Allen: I am amazed the Minister has not spoken to Irish Ferries chiefs. Will he ensure a replacement service is provided to the Cork-Kerry region and provide that region with greater resources out of the additional £5 million allocated to Bord F·ilte for marketing to correct the imbalance between Dublin and the regions?

Dr. McDaid: When I met representatives of Irish Ferries, a private company, on 5 November to discuss some general matters the Cork-French route was not brought to my attention. There are no grounds for alarm. There is no reason to believe that the discontinuation of the service will result in a diminution in the numbers travelling to the Cork region which has been included on the route for the Tour de France next year. I will introduce a Supplementary Estimate on 12 December and hope to provide the funds the regional tourism organisations have been seeking for many years. The Deputy should look at the figures for my own region but I agree with him that there is an imbalance which I will seek to correct once the Supplementary Estimate has been approved.

Mr. Allen: I am amazed the Minister has had no discussions with Irish Ferries chiefs about the withdrawal of the service out of Cork. Will he agree that he has neglected the Cork-Kerry region and has shown a lack of initiative in not discussing the matter with Irish Ferries chiefs?

Dr. McDaid: As a private company Irish Ferries makes its own policy decisions. There has been a dramatic drop of 85,000 in passenger movements but this has been offset by an increase of 183,000 in the number of air passengers. This should allay the Deputy's fears. Passengers have chosen to travel via Britain. We should be grateful that Irish Ferries will provide a cruise ferry service. I am sure there will be no diminution in the numbers of visitors to the Cork region.

National Conference Centre.

17. Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation whether he has satisfied himself that the competition to choose a national conference centre complies with EU guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21685/97]

Dr. McDaid: As the Deputy will be aware, the new tender procedure for a national conference centre is being organised by Bord F·ilte under the aegis of the independent Management Board for Product Development. The tender procedure was determined after consultation with the relevant directorates in the European Commission and is being conducted in full compliance with EU Council Directive 93/37/EEC concerning the co-ordination of procedures for the award of public works contract.

The full tender procedure notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 13 September 1997. The notice was also published in the daily newspapers on 16 September. It invited applicants to submit requests to participate in the tender procedure by 5 p.m. on Monday, 20 October. Bord F·ilte received 12 responses within the deadline set for the receipt of applications. On 31 October invitation to tender documentation was dispatched by Bord F·ilte to seven qualified applicants, six of whom confirmed their intention to submit full tenders before the deadline set, 14 November. These six applicants who will be responsible for providing a site for the proposed development have three months to submit their tenders, that is, by the end of January next following which the tenders will be assessed. The management board has estimated that it will be late March before it has completed its deliberations.

Under the terms of the Operational Programme for Tourism the agreement of the Government and the European Commission, on foot of a cost-benefit analysis conducted in accordance with Union law, will be required in respect of the final selection made.

Mr. Wall: It was reported in the newspapers that the EU rules had been broken in this matter. Bord F·ilte stated in reply that invitation to tender documentation was issued on 31 October and that tenderers could seek clarification on the matters covered. Will the Minister agree that on that occasion Bord F·ilte should have sought to allay the fears of the general public by stating that there were no errors in the documentation issued to applicants thereby ensuring that the dates set for the completion and submission of tenders for this important project will be adhered to?

Dr. McDaid: I assure everybody concerned that the regulations are not causing problems. I agree with the Deputy and my predecessor that this is a matter of national importance and hope that we have learned from mistakes made in the past. I ask those who have encountered problems to come to the Department or Bord F·ilte. A certain group has written to Bord F·ilte indicating that some of the regulations were not in order but the Commission has not found any case with which to reproach us. As Deputy Wall correctly said, the invitation to tender document of 30 October provided a mechanism by which tenderers could seek clarification of any matter covered by it.

In the national interest, I request all those interested to stop putting obstacles in the way of this project. I agree with Deputy Wall that nobody should attempt to sabotage this project which is of major incentive and importance to this country. Let us go ahead with it and, if any problems are encountered, let them be brought to my attention when I shall endeavour to have them overcome.

I reiterate that the tender procedure was determined after consultation with DG 15 and DG 16, conducted in accordance with EU Council Directive 93/37/EEC concerning the co-ordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts. We have gone to extremes here to ensure that everything is in order and that the relevant European Union Commissioner backs us on the matter. This country needs a national convention centre and there has been a huge surge in tourists coming here in recent years. I want to see the continuance of the huge strides made under successive administrations and the provision of a national convention centre is one of the best means of sustaining that momentum in tourism development.

Mr. Wall: Will the Minister state whether that group was the only one that raised questions in regard to the tendering process and, if so, inform the House of the number? Furthermore, will he state whether their fears have been allayed by his Department and the European Union?

Dr. McDaid: To date one group only has written to Bord F·ilte seeking clarification of the regulations; another five in the course of the process have encountered no such problems. My Department is examining those specific inquiries printed in the newspapers which, unfortunately, have been brought into the public domain. In the national interests I ask people to allow this national convention centre to go ahead which is what I think is the desire of all parties and successive Governments.

Licensing of Commercial Accommodation.

18. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he intends to set up a licensing authority for the licensing of commercial accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21591/97]

Dr. McDaid: I presume the Deputy is referring to the tourist accommodation sector where there is already in place an extensive system for approval in accordance with standards set by Bord F·ilte.

One of the board's statutory functions is the registration of certain types of tourist accommodation such as hotels, guesthouses, holiday cottages, holiday apartments and holiday hostels. The inspection activities associated with these functions were contracted to a third party, Tourism Quality Services Ltd., arising from the implementation of the recommendations of the review of Bord F·ilte carried out by Consultants Arthur D. Little Ltd., in 1994.

In addition the board's system of approval for accommodation in the bed and breakfast sector was also out-sourced, following the Arthur D. Little review, to Industry Associations formally recognised by Bord F·ilte, as self-regulatory bodies, on the basis that they apply Bord F·ilte agreed standards. The regional tourism authorities also operate a system of approval for single unit self-catering accommodation to ensure that they are consistent with Bord F·ilte standards.

I do not propose to establish any licensing authority on the issues mentioned by the Deputy.

Mr. Allen: The Minister referred to those units which have chosen to enter the system. In a £3 billion industry, employing 100,000 people, with a current complement of 5,000 approved premises with a capacity of 47,000 bedrooms, with 12,000 unapproved premises with a capacity of 40,000 bedrooms, what steps is the Minister taking to safeguard standards and protect our country's image as a quality tourism destination while so many uninspected units operate outside the standards prescribed by him and his Department?

Dr. McDaid: This has not been a problem encountered by me only but by consecutive administrations and Ministers. I emphasise that I am pursuing exactly the same policy pursued to date. The standards of those unapproved units about which the Deputy speaks have not been causing any major alarm. As a matter of fact, I have received many more complaints about standards obtaining in five-star accommodation than in those unapproved units. For example, I have received complaints about cups of coffee which, in some areas, cost more than the ordinary pint, indeed, in some areas of this city about a cup of coffee costing as much £4. I have also received complaints about £10 being charged for two cups of tea and light biscuits and £8 for a bowl of soup and a roll. Therefore, it will be clearly seen that such complaints do not arise in those unapproved units. Nonetheless I must warn those engaged in these areas that I am concerned about excessive prices being charged.

On the matter of the numbers of unapproved units to which the Deputy referred, while they are indeed of importance, they are not the units at present causing me problems vis-à-vis standards.

Mr. Allen: I did not ask the Minister a question about five-star accommodation but about unregistered units. Does he agree that they tend to destroy our tourist image and tourism itself? What steps is he taking to ensure they comply with fire and safety and health and hygiene standards generally?

Dr. McDaid: Deputy Allen is well aware that the standards in regard to fire and safety and health and hygiene apply to all units, as does taxation. Of course, if those unapproved units do not come up to standard, tourists will not return to them, which in itself answers his question. If they are approved by Bord F·ilte, there is certainly a mechanism available by which tourists or others can complain to my Department but I reiterate that standards have not been the problem encountered in these unapproved units.

While the overall matter of licensing was mooted in the past, on its introduction how does one police that type of authorisation or operation? How does one go about imposing penalties on those who do not adhere to the relevant regulations or standards? In the interests of the future of our tourism industry, I shall certainly examine the matters of standards and licensing. However, the latter probably is something with which it would be impossible to get to grips immediately or in the short-term and undoubtedly cause immense headaches for any of my predecessors who might encounter such problems.

Mr. Allen: It appears to be a "head in the sand" syndrome.

An Ceann Comhairle: As the time allocated for questions nominated for priority has expired, Questions Nos. 19 and 20 can be taken in ordinary time.

Abolition of Duty Free.

19. Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the views of his Department on the impact of the abolition of the internal duty free industry within the European Union on the Irish tourist industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dr. McDaid: Highly profitable duty and tax free sales are currently being used in part by air and sea transport operators to keep charges and fares down. Abolition of duty free could have an adverse impact on tourism through potentially higher charges by airports, airlines and maritime transport companies. This could be particularly problematic for low fare airlines and ferry companies, slowing down tourism growth to Ireland where more competitive fares have underpinned above average growth in tourist arrivals in recent years.

I assure the Deputy that the Government is availing of every opportunity to raise this issue at political level in appropriate fora and to suggest the need for further study by the European Commission of the implications of the abolition of intra-EU duty free. Because of the potentially damaging impact of the proposed measure on the development of the tourism industry generally, the Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Deputy Flood, raised the issue at the EU Tourism Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels on 26 November. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Public Enterprise have also been active in highlighting the importance of the matter. Last week the Taoiseach raised the subject at the EU Employment Summit in Luxembourg and he reported to the House on the outcome in some detail on 25 November. There is a special committee studying the implications for Ireland in his Department and he intends putting down a further marker about Ireland's concerns at the December summit.

The Taoiseach outlined in his statement on 25 November the Government's strategy which is to continue to seek to have the matter raised with transport Ministers, ECOFIN, the European Council and the Commission.

Mr. Wall: The Minister stressed the importance of this matter. Does he know when a final decision will be made on the abolition of the internal duty free industry? Is there a set criteria in relation to that date? I have had numerous representations from people in the industry and union representatives on this matter.

Dr. McDaid: There is no final date for making the decision. The Deputy is aware that the date is in 1999 and we are arguing the case at present. The last meeting the Taoiseach attended concerned unemployment. We want the EU to provide a proper study. The only study to date has shown that the abolition of duty free would lead to approximately 140,000 job losses throughout the EU. The last summit meeting dealt with unemployment and there is a case for asking for a study on the impact which the abolition would have on Ireland in light of the projected job losses. The matter is ongoing and we are continuing to use every opportunity to raise the matter. My colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, raised the matter recently at the Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels. The abolition of duty free would have disastrous effects on employment here and in Europe. If we are serious about unemployment in Europe, it is only proper that we have the study, which was promised, to find out what the ending of duty free would mean.

Mr. Wall: If, as the Minister predicts, the proposed study shows that major damage will result to Irish tourism and associated jobs, is it within the remit of the Government to veto the decision? What measures can be put in place to protect as far as possible the number of jobs under threat?

Mr. Allen: The abolition of duty free will result in major job losses in all sectors and will increase travel costs for tourists. Does the Minister agree that the Taoiseach seemed to throw in the towel on this issue at his recent meeting in Europe when he said there was little interest or support among his colleagues for this matter? Does he also agree that studies alone are insufficient and that what is required is critical action at the highest level?

Dr. McDaid: It is completely at odds with the truth to say the Government is not raising interest in this matter. I put it to the Deputy that we are raising this as a major political issue in Europe. This issue was not raised once by the previous Government during any of the summit meetings. It is now at the top of our EU agenda.

Mr. Allen: I was quoting from the Taoiseach.

Dr. McDaid: The issue was not raised even once when the Deputy's party was in Government and attending summit meetings.

Mr. Allen: The Taoiseach said there was no support for and very little interest in this matter.

Dr. McDaid: We have raised this issue at all meetings and intend to continue to do so. We are calling for a study on the effects the abolition of duty free would have.

Mr. Allen: We know what will happen. It will result in job losses and increased fares.

Dr. McDaid: There has only been one study to date and it should be updated. We are aware of the effects predicted by that study and we are trying to get the Commission to take another look at the issue in the context of unemployment.

Mr. Allen: The Government has thrown in the towel.

Dr. McDaid: Regarding Deputy Wall's question, the decision has already been taken. We are now trying to make sure we can raise the issue at different levels in order to increase interest in this matter. It has a major impact on us as a country on the periphery of Europe, particularly in tourism where duty free has been responsible in large measure for the low access fares to the country.

Drug Testing in Sport.

20. Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he will make a statement on the current situation regarding his plans to introduce a drug testing programme in sport.

Dr. McDaid: The sports anti-doping advisory committee was established under the Irish Sports Council in 1997. It is at present finalising its report which will incorporate recommendations on developing and implementing a sports anti-doping policy. When report is completed and submitted to me, which I expect will be shortly, I will begin preparing plans for introducing a drug testing programme in sport.

Deputies will not be surprised that this is one of the first issues I put on my agenda on coming into office and I look forward to discussing this report with Deputies and the relevant sports authorities on receiving it.

Mr. Allen: Does the Minister hold the same opinion he held three months ago, namely, that if he introduces a drug testing programme he will also introduce blood as well as urine testing? What discussions has he had with the federations that will have to amend their constitutions and impose sanctions in the event of any athlete being detected as using drugs?

Dr. McDaid: My initial plan is to introduce the drug testing programme in Ireland. We have approached most of the national governing bodies with a view to them changing their constitutions, in the event of blood testing being introduced, to include sanctions. All bodies are in agreement with this.

I intend to proceed as far as possible with introducing the type of testing referred to by the Deputy and I hope we will be in position to make a further announcement in the new year.

Mr. Allen: Will the Minister work in co-operation with the Northern Ireland sports council on this matter? Will he set up laboratories which will need to be accredited by the OCIR? Will he use the Chelsea laboratories which some of us visited? Does he intend to introduce this system in 1998?

Dr. McDaid: Of course I intend to work with the Northern Ireland authorities. I have said on numerous occasions that I consider the issues of tourism and sport, and the associated work, on an all-Ireland basis.

Regarding testing and working with the Chelsea laboratories, the Deputy must understand that we develop this issue one small step at a time. Introducing blood testing is difficult. There are constitutional difficulties but we can introduce testing and with the help of the organisations and the federations we can go some way towards being at the forefront in this area. It is necessary to start by taking small steps. I hope to introduce this scheme in 1998.

Mr. Wall: As the Tour de France is due to be held in Ireland, will the Minister consider using that occasion to implement the procedures in this matter? Will he ask some of the famous figures due to come here for the Tour de France to highlight the problem of drug-taking in sport?

Dr. McDaid: That is a matter for the tour operators and I understand they have a strict regime. The Deputy highlighted one specific sport but the problem is that the medical profession seems to be held back by regulations which keep doctors one step behind the abusers. The technology is in place and medical science has progressed to such an extent that we can identify persons who have taken any substance, but the current regulations apply only to certain substances. Pharmacology is very advanced in this area. The abusers think they are outsmarting the medical research facilities capable of identifying them, and I am simply trying to ensure that we get one step ahead of the abusers. That is the objective of drug testing and the various federations will have to realise it is only through blood tests we will be in a position to do that definitively in the future.

Mr. Sargent: I thank the Minister for the attention he gave this matter early on in his term. As he alluded to it in his reply, will the Minister tease out more definitively the merits of blood testing over urine testing as I understand urine testing is open to miscalculation or is not as foolproof as blood testing? Will that have a bearing on the action he proposes to take in the future?

Mr. Naughten: Has the Minister any plans to implement a programme to highlight awareness among young athletes of the risks associated with taking steroids or drugs of that nature? Will the plans include drug testing of under age athletes also because in the United States and other countries, under age athletes are taking drugs to increase performance?

Mr. Allen: Does the Minister intend to introduce a drugs education programme along with a drugs testing programme? While he works out the legalities and implications of introducing blood testing next year, will he introduce the internationally acceptable urine testing as quickly as possible? Does he intend to set up a statutory testing authority independent of his Department? Also, because of the legal and medical implications, does the Minister intend to set up an independent appeals board to allow athletes who believe they have been dealt an injustice have the right of appeal to an independent body? What are the Minister's thoughts on these issues?

Dr. McDaid: We hope to set up an anti-doping board and we will discuss at a later stage whether that will be on a statutory basis. Legislation may be required to do that. With regard to the appeals board, we should set up the other board first and then discuss that. That issue will be discussed by the relevant committee which was set up under the Deputy's auspices.

With regard to the drugs education programme, it is hoped that programme will be introduced. There is a question about that on the Order Paper and if it is reached, the Deputy will hear my reply. Deputy Sargent asked about urine and blood testing. That is a complicated area of physiology which I could talk about all day.

In regard to the effects of drugs in urine and in blood, we now have what are known as half life substances which are flushed out of the system very rapidly. It is easier now to determine the effects these drugs have had. Testing on-site at major competitions is of little value. Testing should be carried out in between competitions at training grounds and so on. That is where the real positive results are obtained. Many athletes believe they are one step ahead of medical science but I disagree. We will have to start thinking about testing in between competitions.

In regard to under age athletes taking drugs, everybody here would be concerned about that but we will have to comply with rules that might be introduced covering the age at which testing can be done. Many of our young people who use gyms in this city and others around the country are being offered substances of which I am sure their parents are unaware. I would like to put in place an education programme because prevention is better than cure. I hope to discuss this matter with all Deputies when we introduce the Bill later in the year.

Resorts Scheme.

21. Ms McManus asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if he has completed the review of the pilot tax relief scheme for certain seaside resorts; the terms of reference of the review; the assessments, if any, which have been carried out on the results in terms of the renewal and updating of tourist facilities in these areas and additional tourism business attracted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21428/97]

Dr. McDaid: The pilot tax relief scheme for certain resort areas was introduced, under the Finance Act, 1995, on 1 July 1995 on a pilot basis for three years. The purpose of the scheme is to assist in the renewal and updating of tourist amenities and facilities in the areas designated.

An interdepartmental group comprising representatives from my Department, the Department of Finance, the Department of the Environment and Local Government, the Revenue Commissioners, Bord F·ilte and Shannon Development is currently reviewing the impact of the scheme. The review will assimilate all key data concerning developments currently taking place in the designated resort areas, including the total number of projects; the total number of projects by type of enterprise; the total capital investment, the total level of tax relief granted; the total number of jobs created; the geographical spread of uptake; and the qualitative aspects.

When I receive the review findings, I will examine them in consultation with the Minister for Finance. At this stage, I clearly cannot anticipate those findings. I had hoped to have them before the end of this year but as the Deputy knows, the scheme will run until the end of next year. I anticipate we will have the findings before that time.

Ms McManus: Will the Minister clarify in more detail the length of time he expects this review to take before completion? He must be aware that certain towns expect this scheme to be extended. I was glad the last Government initiated the scheme and included the town of Arklow, in my own county. I know the Minister will accept that it is a good idea to learn from experience, but will he not agree there is now an urgent need to ensure the review is completed? Does he perceive this review to be completed in the context of him expanding the scheme? Does the Minister intend to expand the scheme because the current scheme will soon come to an end? Many people are working on the basis that the scheme will be extended but the Minister has not actually stated that. Will he state clearly that it is his intention to extend the scheme, even if it is altered or refined as a result of this review, or does he intend to terminate it?

Dr. McDaid: I cannot answer the Deputy's question about extending the scheme until I receive the report. I am sure she understands that. Problems have arisen in certain areas of the scheme. This was an excellent scheme from my point of view because it rejuvenated areas which were neglected. Like all good policies introduced by various Governments, this scheme tended to be abused. Problems arose with the scheme in some areas, particularly the environmental area, and in regard to the profile of certain specific areas. It was unfair to highlight one or two of those and castigate the rest as a result.

We will have to consider the scheme in a different light and, if it is extended, certain aspects of it will have to be changed. Many representatives of the local development groups to whom I spoke indicated the scheme would have been much more appropriate had it applied to the introduction of leisure facilities rather than some of the areas it covered. We have up until next year to review the scheme and I anticipate the report will be completed by next February or March. At that time we will review the scheme in conjunction with the Departments of the Environment and Local Government, Finance and the Revenue Commissioners.

Mr. Deenihan: Will the Minister agree that some ambitious projects, which have been delayed by An Bord Plean·la and in respect of which there are other planning difficulties, including those involving the Land Registry, will not come to fruition if the scheme is not extended? That is an important point for the Minister to consider in extending the scheme. Will he agree that a number of the less progressive resorts have not capitalised fully on the scheme to date and it is only now that the scheme is beginning to have an effect? If the scheme was terminated now, the benefits of it which have been acknowledged would not impact on those resorts.

Dr. McDaid: I agree with Deputy Deenihan. Many Deputies have approached me about the same type of problems concerning projects that are about to commence and have requested that the scheme be extended. However, that is a matter for the Minister for Finance, but I hope the hatchet will not be brought down immediately on projects which have a reasonable chance of coming to fruition and that the Department of Finance will look favourably on them. However, that is ultimately a decision for the Department of Finance, but the Deputy would have my support on this matter.

Cecilia Keaveney: I congratulate the Department on this good scheme. Perhaps not all resorts use it to its full potential or exploit it in the wrong way. Does the Minister consider there is a possibility of extending the scheme to cover more peripheral regions; for instance resorts close to the Border such as Moville and Buncrana? There is a need for positive discrimination towards those areas. Is there scope in the scheme to expand it to include towns that have suffered as a result of other difficulties, where tourism is their only future and they have limited tourist facilities even though many people are doing good work to develop those areas? Will the Minister ensure peripheral regions, including the one I mentioned, are taken into account in a review of this scheme?

Dr. McDaid: I am fully conscious of the effects of the devastation that has occurred along the Border. I hope, before my brief in this area concludes the Border area will recognise the benefit it achieved while I held this portfolio. The decision to extend this scheme is a matter for the Department of Finance. I would have no difficulty extending it to include numerous other areas and there is an excellent political reason for doing that. However, that is a decision for the Department of Finance, but the Deputy can rest assured the Border will be well and truly looked after.

Mr. Sargent: I acknowledge the many benefits of the seaside resorts scheme but I regret north County Dublin was overlooked in the initial tranche. In reviving the scheme will the Minister take into account the environmental impact on some of the areas that have benefited from it and the hike in property prices in some areas which has meant that local people have been priced out of their areas, which in the long term will be more damaging than any initial benefit the scheme may have. In Lahinch and Youghal the visual impact of the scheme has been a cause of much comment by members of the local community. When it comes to reviewing the scheme perhaps that should be a lesson on to how things should not be done.

Dr. McDaid: The Deputy is correct. Those are two specific reasons the scheme must be revisited. One concerns the environmental impact of the scheme. In the areas concerned local development groups have told me that families and others trying to build houses on their own sites have found the price of sites have risen astronomically. Those concerns must form part of the balancing act in reviewing the scheme. The environmental impact on those towns and the price of sites in them are two detrimental effects of the scheme.

Mr. Roche: Will the Minister agree that it is extraordinarily surprising that the evaluation of this scheme has not progressed further. Is the Minister aware that six weeks ago I brought a delegation to the Department of Finance? To say the least I was not happy with the level of competence in that Department and the manner in which the evaluation of this scheme is being carried out. Is the Minister aware that as yet only one town has responded to the request for information, which is delaying the evaluation of the scheme? I expressed my alarm and the alarm implicit in Deputy McManus's question that towns like Bray which were excluded from the scheme will continue to be excluded unless the Department removes its collective digit and proceeds with matters. Will the Minister ensure the review is speeded up and give an early response on the long-standing request that Bray be included in the scheme? I remind the Minister that the Minister for Finance when he first advocated this scheme and last year in amendments which he sought to table to the Finance Bill suggested that Bray should be included in the scheme.

Dr. McDaid: I will try to facilitate the Deputy by speeding up the review of the scheme and obtaining the reports. As I stated in reply to Deputy McManus's question, I tried to get the reports in before the budget so that a proper discussion could take place on the scheme, but Deputy Roche will understand this is a matter for the Finance Bill. The Finance Bill will not be published until the new year and this scheme can be discussed before that. I will encourage those areas that have been requested to furnish information to send it in as soon as possible so that we can have a proper basis on which to evaluate whether to extend this scheme.

Mr. McCormack: I am alarmed at Deputy Roche's concern about officials in the Department of Finance. Will Clifden be included in the next scheme?

Dr. McDaid: As I said before the Deputy came into the House, that is a matter for the Department of Finance.

Mr. McCormack: I was here when the Minister said that, but I thought he would answer my question.

Mr. Fahey: The Deputy's party promised to include it but it did not deliver on that.

Mr. Naughten: I know the Minister cannot give a guarantee that the scheme will be expanded but, if it is, will he ensure that inland tourist resorts will be included in it?

Dr. McDaid: Perhaps that is another innovative idea that should be considered.

Mr. Ring: Westport was included in the scheme. As Deputy Sargent said, there is a major problem concerning the prices of houses and sites in some of the resorts included in the scheme. Will the Minister ensure in the review of the scheme that where major developments are taking place and there is planning permission for the building of 20, 30 or 40 houses, half of those will be made available to young couples living in the area? In Westport 120 to 140 houses were built and are available for rent, but that is not good for the economic future of the town. Will the Minister ensure that if a certain number of houses are built in a town included in the scheme some of them will be made available for local people?

Dr. McDaid: I addressed that matter before the Deputy came into the House. It is a major drawback of the scheme.

Irish Ferries.

22. Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation his views on the impact on tourism in the south west area arising from the decision taken by Irish Ferries to withdraw its service from that city to France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21507/97]

39. Ms Clune asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries company in order to get it to reverse its decision which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21296/97]

42. Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries company in order to get it to reverse its decision which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21299/97]

44. Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries company in order to get it to reverse its decision which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21294/97]

51. Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries company in order to get it to reverse its decision which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21298/97]

68. Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries company in order to get it to reverse its decision which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21300/97]

77. Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with the negative effects on tourism created by the withdrawal of Irish Ferries from the Cork to Roscoff route; and if he has spoken to the Irish Ferries company in order to get it to reverse its decision which would have a disastrous effect on tourism numbers in the Cork and Kerry region. [21297/97]

Dr. McDaid: I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 39, 42, 44, 51, 54, 68 and 77 together. I understand the decision by Irish Ferries, a privately owned company, to discontinue the use of Cork port was taken on purely commercial considerations and, as such, I have no function in the matter. The company has, however, announced an improved and upgraded continental cruise ferry service for the 1998 season between Rosslare, Cherbourg and Roscoff. This service will increase capacity for tourist traffic, vehicles and freight business and I welcome the company's continued commitment to the continental route. I understand the service will begin next April and will operate according to a new schedule which allows for consistent departure and arrival times with early morning arrival times in France and Ireland to better facilitate passengers driving onwards to their holiday destinations.

I have not spoken directly to Irish Ferries about its decision to discontinue the use of Cork port, but my colleague, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, replied to Deputies in the House on the Adjournment on 19 November in relation to this matter.

It is too early to assess what impact, if any, the decision to discontinue the use of Cork port will have on flows of continental tourists to and within Ireland. As I have already said, the new vessel being chartered by Irish Ferries will provide for increased capacity for tourist traffic and vehicles and will offer higher standards of on board facilities which should prove attractive to potential visitors.

While the distribution of visitor flows within Ireland is primarily a matter for the regional tourism authorities and the tourist industry, I am concerned about improving regional spread generally, as we all know that recent growth in tourism has not been benefiting all regions to the same extent.

Last month I announced an extra £5 million for Bord F·ilte by way of Supplementary Estimate this year, which will facilitate tourism promotion and marketing for the coming season. I have asked Bord F·ilte to design a series of new initiatives for the 1998 campaign, targeted not only at maintaining tourism growth but more particularly at addressing regional spread. Further details of this initiative will be announced after I move the Supplementary Estimate for my Department in the House on l 1 December.

Olympic Council of Ireland.

23. Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the meetings, if any, which have taken place with the executive of the Olympic Council of Ireland since he took office; and if decisions have been made in relation to funding for 1997. [21301/97]

27. Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the meetings, if any, which have taken place with the executive of the Olympic Council of Ireland since he took office; and if decisions have been made in relation to funding for 1997. [21307/97]

37. Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the meetings, if any, which have taken place with the executive of the Olympic Council of Ireland since he took office; and if decisions have been made in relation to funding for 1997. [21303/97]

38. Ms Clune asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the meetings, if any, which have taken place with the executive of the Olympic Council of Ireland since he took office; and if decisions have been made in relation to funding for 1997. [21310/97]

48. Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the meetings, if any, which have taken place with the executive of the Olympic Council of Ireland since he took office; and if decisions have been made in relation to funding for 1997. [21304/97]

58. Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the meetings, if any, which have taken place with the executive of the Olympic Council of Ireland since he took office; and if decisions have been made in relation to funding for 1997. [21309/97]

65. Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the meetings, if any, which have taken place with the executive of the Olympic Council of Ireland since he took office; and if decisions have been made in relation to funding for 1997. [21308/97]

72. Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the meetings, if any, which have taken place with the executive of the Olympic Council of Ireland since he took office; and if decisions have been made in relation to funding for 1997. [21306/97]

74. Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the meetings, if any, which have taken place with the executive of the Olympic Council of Ireland since he took office; and if decisions have been made in relation to funding for 1997. [21305/97]

Dr. McDaid: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 27, 37, 38, 48, 56, 58, 65, 72 and 74 together. I met the President of the Olympic Council of Ireland shortly after taking up office in July 1997. The following grant payments have been made to the Olympic Council of Ireland to help cover expenses relating to projects in 1997: European Youth Olympic Days, £45,000, and Italian Exchange Scheme £9,000. Both myself and the Sports Council are currently in correspondence with the Olympic Council regarding applications from it for further assistance in respect of various funding requests under active consideration at present.

Mr. Allen: It is obvious from the Minister's reply that an annual allocation has not been made to the Olympic Council this year. Has he been successful in getting a full statement of accounts from the Olympic Council for this year or a quarterly cash flow statement?

Dr. McDaid: I made numerous requests to the IOC to try to obtain information to pay the council's grants this year. I have twice requested the Olympic Council of Ireland to give me a cash flow statement of what it has but I have not received a reply to date. I was shocked to hear the President of the Olympic Council recently say he was prepared to lay off people because of a cash flow crisis. I asked the President of the Olympic Council to show me the cash flow accounts but he has refused to bring them to my attention and yet has threatened lay offs, which I find extraordinary. If the council is not prepared to give me a statement of its current cash flow, I will wonder why.

Mr. Allen: Will the Minister carry out an investigation into the situation surrounding a fund set up in Atlanta by a group of supporters of Irish athletes which made a payment to the Olympic Council late last year or early in 1997 of well over $100,000? To my knowledge, athletes have not been paid money from that contribution. Earlier this year the Olympic Council said it was unable to fund the medical expenses of top athletes because of its cash flow problem despite the fact it received at least $113,000 in Atlanta on top of a previous contribution of $100,000. Will the Minister carry out an investigation into this which, as he said, is most unsatisfactory?

Dr. McDaid: I was unaware of any individuals providing funding to the Olympic Council and of the $100,000 to $113,000 in question. I will continue to ask for cash flow statements from the Olympic Council because I am statutorily bound to do so. Last year the Comptroller and Auditor General made such a request and said they were satisfactory. He also made the point that cash flow accounts were needed to formulate what type of grant to give to the council. I received numerous requests from the President of the Olympic Council asking me to fund events, namely the winter olympics and the world youth student games which are coming up. I will be unable to do so unless I get cash flow statements from the council.

Mr. Allen: I welcome the Minister's commitment to continue the policy adopted by his predecessor earlier this year. Will he state clearly that no funding will be made available until the circumstances behind the money presented by the supporters' group in Atlanta are fully investigated?

Dr. McDaid: That will be the case until I know about the cash flow situation in the Olympic Council. I arranged a meeting between my officials and those from the council. I set up the meeting for the end of August. Officials from the Olympic Council stated that they would meet my officials towards the end of August pending agreement with the President of the council but I have not received a reply to this day.

Mr. Sargent: Has the sponsorship row between the OCI and its affiliate members been resolved? Is he aware how it is progressing? I will give the Minister the details later if he does not have them.

Mr. Allen: Perhaps the Deputy will give me details of the row. It may be a matter between the Olympic Council and its sponsors but I am not aware of anything.