Committee Reports > List of Committees > Joint > 2002 > Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation > Annual Report of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation, 2001

TITHE AN OIREACHTAIS

TUARASCÁIL BHLIANTÚIL

ón

gComhchoiste um Thurasóireacht, Spórt agus Áineas

Obair an Chomhchoiste

ANNUAL REPORT

of the

Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation

Work of the Joint Committee

2001

Table of Contents

1. Content and Format of Report

This report has been prepared pursuant to paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Standing Order 79A, Dáil Éireann and paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Standing Order 69, Seanad Éireann which provides for Joint Committee reports and work programmes as follows-

•review of its procedure and its role

•laying minutes of proceedings

•making an annual report

•preparation of work programme

2. Functions and Powers of the Joint Committee

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation was established by Order of Dáil Éireann of 20th November, 1997 and Order of Seanad Éireann of 26th November, 1997 as part of a programme of Oireachtas reform involving the refining of the Committee system to enable more detailed examination of Government Departments including:

•public affairs administered by each Department

•legislation and expenditure proposals of each Department

•certain matters relating to bodies under the aegis of each Department.

The Orders of Reference of the Joint Committee were modified by further Orders of Dáil Éireann ((28th April, 1998 (new subparagraph (2)(a)(iv) added) and 14^th February 2001 (new subparagraph (1)(a)(iii) added) and Seanad Éireann of 30th April, 1998 (new subparagraph (1)(a)(iv) added), and the Orders of Reference of the Joint Committee, as so modified, are set out at Appendix 1.

In addition to existing functions and powers of the Committee, further powers were accorded to the Committee by a resolution of Dáil Éireann of 2 July 1999 to amend Standing Order 78A of Dáil Standing Orders, enabling the Committee to ‘consider and report to Dáil Éireann on such proposals for EU Legislation as may be referred to it from time to time by any Committee established by Dáil Éireann (whether acting jointly with the Seanad or otherwise) to consider such proposals and upon which has been conferred the power to refer such proposals to another Select Committee’. A corresponding provision was made by way of amendment to Standing Order 65 of Standing Orders of Seanad Éireann on 30 June 1999.

3. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Convenors and Membership

Deputy Breeda Moynihan-Cronin was elected as Chairperson on 13 April 2000. Deputy Brendan Kenneally was elected as Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on 5 July 2001. The Chairperson of the Joint Committee is also Chairperson of the Dáil Select Committee.

Deputies Michael Joe Cosgrave and Matt Brennan are the Convenors of the Committee whose function it is to ensure the availability and attendance of Members or their substitutes for meetings of the Committee and, in particular, to ensure Members’ availability for divisions.

The Members of the Joint Committee are set out at Appendix 2.

4. Meetings, Attendance and Recording

Meetings of the Joint Committee took place in the Committee rooms in Leinster House 2000. Meetings were in public unless otherwise ordered by the Joint Committee.

Televised coverage of public meetings of the Joint Committee was broadcast live within the Leister House complex and was available for subsequent public broadcasting by R.T.É.

Verbatim written reports of public meetings of the Select Committee in relation to Estimates for the Public Services, Vote 35, Tourism, Sport and Recreation were published and may be purchased from the Government Publications Sales Office, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.

Copies of other reports published by the Joint Committee may be obtained from the Clerk to the Committee, Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Kildare House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. A list of these reports is set out at Section 8.

5. Number and Duration of Meetings

The Joint Committee met on 17 occasions in the year under report. The number of hours discussion involved in these meetings was in excess of twenty seven (27) hours. The date and subject matter of each meeting is set out at Appendix 3.

The Dáil Select Committee met on 2 occasions in the year under report and the number of hours discussion involved in these meetings was in excess of four (4) hours. The date and ject matter of each meeting is set out at Appendix 4.

Records of attendance by Members of the Joint Committee and their duly nominated substitutes at meetings of the Joint Committee are set out at Appendix 5. Records of attendance by Members of the Dáil Select Committee and their duly nominated substitutes at meetings of the Dáil Select Committee are set out at Appendix 6.

Minutes of proceedings of the Joint Committee meeting in public session are attached at Appendix 7.

It should be noted that the number of meetings of the Committee was reduced in order to comply with the request of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Ceann Comhairle to scale down normal committee activity for the duration of the two parliamentary inquiries, namely the ‘Inquiry on the Abbeylara Incident’ and the ‘Inquiry into the mini-CTC Signalling Project and related matters’.

6. Work of the Committee

6.1 Joint Committee

On the 17 occasions the Committee met it dealt with the following matters:

•Annual Report of the Joint Committee for 1999/2000 and Work Programme for 2001.

•Regional tourism development - discussions with all of the Regional Tourism Authorities.

•The Impact of Foot & Mouth disease on the Irish tourism industry - discussions with the Minister for Tourism, Sport & Recreation, Bord Fáilte, the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation and other groups.

•Review of the Sydney Olympics 2000 and preparation for future Olympic Games - Discussions with the Olympic Council of Ireland and the Irish Sports Council.

•The future of the Heritage Towns of Ireland.

•The effects on the Tourism Industry of the Terrorist Attacks in the USA - discussions with the Minister for Tourism, Sport & Recreation, Bord Fáilte and the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation.

•The Role of Local Authorities in Tourism, Sport & Recreation.

6.2 Dáil Select Committee

On the 2 occasions the Committee met it dealt with the following matters:

•Revised Estimate 2001 - Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation.

•Supplementary Estimate 2001 - Department of Tourism, Sport & Recreation

7. Groups and Individuals attending before Committee

In the year under report the Joint Committee met with the following:

•The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation

•Bord Fáilte

•The Irish Tourist Industry Confederation

•Irish Hotels Federation

•Town & Country Homes

•Irish Cottage Holiday Homes

•Irish Caravan Council

•Restaurants Association of Ireland

•Irish Farm Holidays

•Aer Lingus

•Irish Ferries

•Irish Coach Council

•Irish Tour Operators Association

•The Olympic Council of Ireland

•The Irish Sports Council

•Dublin Tourism

•The South-East Regional Tourism Authority

•Cork-Kerry Tourism

•The North-West Regional Tourism Authority

•Ireland West Tourism

•Shannon Development Company

•Midlands-East Tourism

•The Heritage Towns of Ireland

8. Committee Reports and Resolutions

8.1 Joint Committee

During the year under report the Joint Committee published the following reports:

•Annual Report, 1999/2000.

•Report of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation entitled “Report of the Joint Committee for Tourism, Sport and Recreation on the Role of Local Authorities in Tourism, Sport & Recreation”.

•Report of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation entitled “Report of the Joint Committee for Tourism, Sport and Recreation on the Future of the Heritage Towns of Ireland (Case Study: Abbeyleix)”.

•Report of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation entitled “Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport & Recreation, Visit to Fitur 2001 Madrid, 1/2/2001 B 2/2/2001”

9. Work in Progress

The Joint Committee’s work programme for 2002 may be found at Appendix 8 of this Report.

10. Travel by the Joint Committee

The Committee undertook the following travel in accordance with its orders of reference in connection with its work programme.

Madrid, 1 February 2001 to 2 February 2001

Following an invitation from Bord Fáilte, the Joint Committee agreed to send a delegation to Madrid from the 1 to 2 February, 2001. The invitation was issued as part of Bord Fáilte’s educational briefing programme for Tourism and the purpose of the visit was to attend Feria Internacional de Turismo (Fitur) 2001, an International Tourism Trade Fair, and to meet with Irish Tourism representatives working from Spain.The delegation met with representatives of a number of Irish tour operators and Regional Tourism Authorities, and with local representatives of Aer Lingus and Irish Ferries.

The delegation also attended a market briefing given by Bord Fáilte Representatives.

Abbeyleix, 27 November 2001.

A delegation of the Joint Committee travelled to Abbeyleix on Tuesday 27th November 2001 and met with representatives of the local Heritage Group, Laois County Council and the Heritage Towns of Ireland. This visit took place following a presentation to the Committee on 1st November 2001 by the Chairperson of the Heritage Towns of Ireland. During that meeting one of the issues raised was the feared closure of Heritage Centres due to financial dificulties. It was therefore decided that the delegation would travel to Abbeyleix where the Heritage Centre had been obliged to close down for a number of months during this year. Following the visit to Abbeyleix a submission was received from the local Heritage Group and a report was agreed by the Committee and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Report was also forwarded to the Departments of Tourism, Sport & Recreation; Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht and Environment & Local Government, and to Bord Fáilte.

11. Function and Powers

For the purpose of its consideration of current matters, the Committee is happy with its present procedures and role.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin, T.D.

Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee

February, 2002

APPENDIX 1

ORDERS OF REFERENCE

Dáil Éireann

Order of 20 November 1997, (*28th April 1998), (**14^th Feb., 2001):

(1) (a)That a Select Committee, which shall be called the Select Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation, consisting of 14 members of Dáil Éireann (of whom 4 shall constitute a quorum), be appointed to consider such-

(i)Bills the statute law in respect of which is dealt with by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, and

(ii)Estimates for Public Services within the aegis of that Department, as shall be referred to it by Dáil Éireann from time to time.

(iii)**proposals contained in any motion, including any motion within the meaning of Standing Order 149(A) concerning the approval by the Dáil of international agreements involving a charge on public funds,

as shall be referred to it by Dáil Éireann from time to time.

(b)For the purpose of its consideration of Bills under paragraph (1)(a)(i), the Select Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 78A(1), (2) and (3).

(c)For the avoidance of doubt, by virtue of his or her ex officio membership of the Select Committee in accordance with Standing Order 84(1), the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (or a Minister or Minister of State nominated in his or her stead) shall be entitled to vote.

(2) (a)The Select Committee shall be joined with a Select Committee to be appointed by Seanad Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation to consider-

(v)such public affairs administered by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation as it may select, including bodies under the aegis of that Department in respect of Government policy,

(vi)such matters of policy for which the Minister in charge of that Department is officially responsible as it may select,

(ii)the strategy statement laid before each House of the Oireachtas by the Minister in charge of that Department pursuant to section 5(2) of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, and shall be authorised for the purposes of section 10 of that Act,

(iv)*such Annual Reports or Annual Reports and Accounts, required by law and laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas, of bodies under the aegis of the Department(s) specified in paragraph 2(a)(i), and the overall operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of these bodies, as it may select.

Provided that the Joint Committee shall not, at any time, consider any matter relating to such a body which is, which has been, or which is, at that time, proposed to be considered by the Committee of Public Accounts pursuant to the Orders of Reference of that Committee and/or the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993.

Provided further that the Joint Committee shall refrain from inquiring into in public session, or publishing confidential information regarding, any such matter if so requested either by the body or by the Minister in charge of that Department; and

(v)such other matters as may be jointly referred to it from time to time by both Houses of the Oireachtas,

and shall report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(b)The quorum of the Joint Committee shall be 5, of whom at least 1 shall be a member of Dáil Éireann and 1 a member of Seanad Éireann.

(c)The Joint Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 78A(1) to (9) inclusive.

(3)The Chairman of the Joint Committee, who shall be a member of Dáil Éireann, shall also be Chairman of the Select Committee.

Seanad Éireann

Order of 26 November, 1997: (* 30 April 1998):

(1) (a)That a Select Committee consisting of 5 members of Seanad Éireann shall be appointed to be joined with a Select Committee of Dáil Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation, to consider-

(i)such public affairs administered by the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation as it may select, including bodies under the aegis of that Department in respect of Government policy,

(ii)such matters of policy for which the Minister in charge of that Department is officially responsible as it may select,

(iii)the strategy statement laid before each House of the Oireachtas by the Minister in charge of that Department pursuant to section 5(2) of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, and shall be authorised for the purposes of section 10 of that Act,

(iv)such Annual Reports or Annual Reports and Accounts, required by law and laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas, of bodies under the aegis of the Department(s) specified in paragraph 2(a)(i), and the overall operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of these bodies, as it may select.

Provided that the Joint Committee shall not, at any time, consider any matter relating to such a body which is, which has been, or which is, at that time, proposed to be considered by the Committee of Public Accounts pursuant to the Orders of Reference of that Committee and/or the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993.

Provided further that the Joint Committee shall refrain from inquiring into in public session, or publishing confidential information regarding, any such matter if so requested either by the body or by the Minister in charge of that Department; and

(iv)such other matters as may be jointly referred to it from time to time by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and shall report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(b)The quorum of the Joint Committee shall be 5, of whom at least 1 shall be a member of Dáil Éireann and 1 a member of Seanad Éireann.

(c)The Joint Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 62(A) (1) to (9) inclusive.

(3)The Chairman of the Joint Committee shall be a member of Dáil Éireann.

Text of Dáil Standing Order 78A referred to in Joint Committee=s (Dáil) Orders of Reference:

“78A.Without prejudice to the generality of Standing Order 78, the Dáil may confer any or all of the following powers on a Select Committee:

(1)power to take oral and written evidence and to print and publish from time to time minutes of such evidence taken in public before the Select Committee together with such related documents as the Select Committee thinks fit;

(2)power to invite and accept written submissions from interested persons or bodies;

(3)power to appoint sub-Committees and to refer to such sub-Committees any matter comprehended by its orders of reference and to delegate any of its powers to such sub-Committees, including power to report directly to the Dáil;

(4)power to draft recommendations for legislative change and for new legislation;

(5)power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss policy for which he or she is officially responsible: provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such policy;

(6)power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss proposed primary or secondary legislation (prior to such legislation being published) for which he or she is officially responsible: provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such proposed legislation;

(7)subject to any constraints otherwise prescribed by law, power to require that principal office holders in bodies in the State which are partly or wholly funded by the State or which are established or appointed by members of the Government or by the Oireachtas shall attend meetings of the Select Committee, as appropriate, to discuss issues for which they are officially responsible: provided that such an office holder may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil;

(8)power to engage, subject to the consent of the Minister for Finance, the services of persons with specialist or technical knowledge, to assist it or any of its sub-Committees in considering particular matters; and

(9)power to undertake travel, subject toC

(a)such rules as may be determined by the sub-Committee on Dáil Reform from time to time under Standing Order 91(3)(b);

(b)such recommendations as may be made by the Working Group of Committee Chairmen under Standing Order 92(2)(a); and

(c)the consent of the Minister for Finance, and normal accounting procedures.”.

Text of Seanad Standing Order 62A referred to in Joint Committee=s (Seanad) Orders of Reference:

“62A.Without prejudice to the generality of Standing Order 62, the Seanad may confer any or all of the following powers on a Select Committee:

(1)power to take oral and written evidence and to print and publish from time to time minutes of such evidence taken in public before the Select Committee together with such related documents as the Select Committee thinks fit;

(2)power to invite and accept written submissions from interested persons or bodies;

(3)power to appoint sub-Committees and to refer to such sub-Committees any matter comprehended by its orders of reference and to delegate any of its powers to such sub-Committees, including power to report directly to the Seanad;

(4)power to draft recommendations for legislative change and for new legislation;

(5)power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss policy for which he or she is officially responsible: provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Seanad: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such policy;

(6)power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss proposed primary or secondary legislation (prior to such legislation being published) for which he or she is officially responsible: provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Seanad: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such proposed legislation;

(7)subject to any constraints otherwise prescribed by law, power to require that principal office holders in bodies in the State which are partly or wholly funded by the State or which are established or appointed by members of the Government or by the Oireachtas shall attend meetings of the Select Committee, as appropriate, to discuss issues for which they are officially responsible: provided that such an office holder may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Seanad;

(8)power to engage, subject to the consent of the Minister for Finance, the services of persons with specialist or technical knowledge, to assist it or any of its sub-Committees in considering particular matters; and

(9)power to undertake travel, subject toC

(a)such rules as may be determined by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges from time to time under Standing Order 71(1)(e);

(b)such recommendations as may be made by the Working Group of Committee Chairmen under Standing Order 71D; and

(c)the consent of the Minister for Finance, and normal accounting procedures.”.

APPENDIX 2

List of Members

Note: Deputy Pat Rabbitte replaced by Deputy Breeda Moynihan-Cronin by order of the Dáil on 24th February, 1999.

Senator Paddy McGowan was a Member of this Committee until his death on 3 October, 1999.

Senator Donie Cassidy was appointed in place of Senator Paddy McGowan on 10 November, 1999.

Deputy Michael Ferris was Chairman of this Committee until his death on 20 March, 2000.

Deputy Sean Ryan was appointed in place of Deputy Michael Ferris on 11 April 2000.

Deputy Breeda Moynihan Cronin was appointed chairperson on 13 April 2000.

Deputy Michael Finucane was appointed in place of Deputy Denis Naughten on 29 June 2000.

Deputy John Perry was appointed in place of Deputy B illy Timmins on 29 June 2000.

Deputy Jimmy Deenihan was appointed in place of Deputy Michael Finucane on 7/11/2000

Deputy David Stanton was appointed in place of Deputy Gerry Reynolds on 7/11/2000

Deputy Jim Higgins was appointed in place of Deputy Bernard Allen on 29/3/2001

Deputy Denis Naughten was appointed in place of Deputy John Perry on 29/3/2001

Senator Maurice Manning was appointed in place of Senator Ernie Caffrey on 25 May 2001

Senator Jim Glennon was appointed in place of Senator Donie Cassidy on 25 May 2001

Deputy Donal Moynihan was appointed in place of Deputy Mary Coughlan on 14 June 2001

APPENDIX 3

Meetings of the Joint Committee

APPENDIX 4

Meetings of the Dáil Select Committee

APPENDIX 5

Attendance at Meetings of the Joint Committee

(X Indicates Member was present. * Indicates Member was represented by a substitute and □ indicates Member was not a Member of the Joint Committee at that time.)

(X Indicates Member was present. * Indicates Member was represented by a substitute and □ indicates Member was not a Member of the Joint Committee at that time.)

(X Indicates Member was present. * Indicates Member was represented by a substitute and □ indicates Member was not a Member of the Joint Committee at that time.)

APPENDIX 6

Attendance at Meetings of the Select Committee

(X Indicates Member was present. * Indicates Member was represented by a substitute and □ indicates Member was not a Member of the Select Committee at that time.)

APPENDIX 7

Minutes of proceedings of the Joint Committee

APPENDIX 8

Work Programme 2002

A. Select Committee on Tourism, Sport & Recreation

1.Estimates and Supplementary Estimates for the Department as they are referred by Dáil Eireann.

2.Committee stage of Bills referred by Dáil Eireann

3.Any other matter referred to the Select Committee by Dáil Eireann.

B. Joint Committee on Tourism, Sport & Recreation

Consideration of:

•public affairs administered by the Department

•matters of policy for which the Minister is responsible

•Government policy in relation to bodies under the aegis of the Department

The Department’s Goals as contained in the Second Statement of Strategy, 2001 – 2004 are:-

Tourism

To facilitate continued development by the tourism industry of an economic and environmentally sustainable and spatially balanced tourism sector, through formulating, ongoing monitoring and review of a range of policies and programmes, in particular within the framework of the National Development Plan and North/South Co-operation.

Sport & Recreation

To provide an appropriate and effective policy and public funding context for achievement of Government objectives for increased participation and development of sport, at national and at local level, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

Local Development

To progress the implementation of integrated local development, having particular regard to the commitment in the NDP that all programmes should accord to the new County Development Board (CDB) framework, based on partnership between state agencies, social partners and local communities, particularly in disadvantaged areas and those marked by high levels of drug misuse.

Matters to be considered by the Joint Committee

1. Tourism

1.1Regional Tourism

1.2The Tourism role or function of the North-South bodies

1.3The role of Local Government in Tourism,

1.4The Tourism Development Programme,

1.5Sustainable Tourism,

1.6Promotional Tourism

1.7Rural Tourism, including public access to the countryside and Bord Fáilte Rural Tourism Research Report

1.8Shannon Development;

1.9The development of new Hotels.

1.10Proposal for a new national conference centre

2. Sport & Recreation

2.1The National Sports Stadium,

2.2North / South Co-operation

2.3The proposed amalgamation of sporting bodies into the Athletics Association of Ireland;

2.4The Role of Local Authorities in Sport and Recreation

3. Bodies under the aegis of the Department:

Bórd Fáilte

CERT

ADM

Irish Sports Council

4. Consideration of Strategy Statements

The Committee will select for consideration aspects of the Strategy Statements of the Department, and of the Bodies under the aegis of the Department, on an ongoing basis and will report annually on the progress made by the Department, and the Bodies, in relation to the achievement of their aims and objectives in that regard.

5. Conferences etc

Participating in relevant conferences and fact-finding missions.

6. Delegations

Meeting delegations from counterpart Committees of other Parliaments.

7. Other matters

Such other matters relevant to the Orders of Reference of the Joint Committee as the Joint Committee may decide to consider and such matters as may be referred to the Joint Committee by the Houses of the Oireachtas from time to time.

8. Work Ongoing

A report on Regional Tourism Development is currently in preparation on behalf of the Joint Committee. The report will be compiled under the following headings:-

•The role of the Regional Tourism Authorities and their interaction with other groups e.g. Leader, Enterprise Boards, Local Authorities etc.

•Access to the regions via Regional Airports

•Co-ordination of regional tourism development

•Agri-tourism

•EU funding

•Marketing

•Infrastructure