Wednesday 29 th September 2004

HOTELIERS WELCOME RETENTION OF MINISTER FOR TOURISM

Conference centre and air access still remain top priorities, says IHF

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has warmly welcomed the retention of John O’Donoghue as Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism stating that his sterling work in this Department to-date in placing tourism high on the Government’s agenda augers well for the industry for the remainder of his term.   The IHF also welcomed the Mr Martin Cullen to the position of Minister for Transport, adding that it hoped he would apply the same energy and urgency as his predecessor to resolving some of Ireland’s internal and external transport issues and upgrading the road infrastructure.

The Irish Hotels Federation, President, Richard Bourke stated that a number of areas now require priority attention from both Government departments in order to assist growth in the tourism industry and he hoped that this would now be a combined priority of both Ministers. They include the speedy development of a national conference centre, and the renegotiation of the US/Ireland bi-lateral air agreement, which would remove the current constraints on US route access to and from Ireland.

“We are delighted that John O’Donoghue has retained his position. He has made a tremendous contribution during his two year term of office which can only auger well for what he will achieve in his next few years at the helm of this nationally important department.   We acknowledge Mr O’Donoghue’s leadership in establishing the Tourism Policy Group and the putting in place of The Tourism Action Plan Implementation Group to monitor the implementation of its recommendations. The Minister has to be applauded for maintaining and increasing funding for tourism marketing. He has succeeded in putting tourism firmly on the national agenda, highlighting its impact on the economy as a whole, as one of Ireland’s biggest and most important indigenous industries employing over 140,000 people,”

The IHF stressed its hope that a number of important issues now facing the sector would be speedily addressed by the newly formed Cabinet.

“In particular the tender process currently underway for the development of a national conference centre should be speedily completed, in order to put Dublin on an equal footing with other European cities in competing for International conference business. In addition, the speedy renegotiation of US/Ireland bi-lateral air agreement has the potential to open up additional direct air routes between the two countries and will be a significant area that Minister Cullen will need to quickly make inroads on. Success here will provide better access for US visitors, our most important market for tourism,” continued Mr Bourke.”

Mr Bourke praised outgoing Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan TD, stating that he placed a high priority on getting things moving to improve Ireland’s roads and infrastructure, and the individualisation of Ireland’s airports. He also understood the necessity for a second terminal at Dublin airport and made attempts to progress the renegotiation of the US/Ireland bi-lateral air agreement, which is so critical to the growth of Irish tourism.

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