I chaired the second meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council – NSMC – in tourism sectoral format in the Institute of Technology, Letterkenny, on Friday, 30 March 2001. Also in attendance were Sir Reg Empey, MLA, Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and Dr. Sean Farren, MLA, Minister of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, representing the Northern Ireland Executive.
As the Deputy is aware, tourism is an area for co-operation under the North-South Ministerial Council provided for in the Good Friday Agreement and, in that context, it has been agreed that a publicly owned limited company will be established to carry out functions aimed at promoting increased tourism to the island of Ireland. At our first meeting in tourism sectoral format held on 27 October 2000, myself and Minister Empey agreed the draft memorandum and articles of association for the proposed tourism company, the composition of the board and the necessary start-up arrangements. The company, known as Tourism Ireland Limited, was formally established on 11 December 2000 and the members of the board were appointed later that month.
At our meeting on 30 March, the vice-chairperson of Tourism Ireland Limited, Ms Ann Riordan, accompanied by Mr. Felix Mooney, board member, gave an update on progress to date in establishing the company. Work is progressing on the further development of Tourism Brand Ireland – TBI – and marketing programmes for 2002, and staffing structures and proposals for the offices in Dublin and Coleraine are being developed. The post of chief executive has been advertised and the board hopes to be in a position to make an early appointment.