Covid impact on tour operators to be debated

Committee will also hear priorities of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media will today discuss the impact of Covid-19 on coach and tour operators in Ireland.

In a separate scheduled discussion, the committee, which is chaired by Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fail TD Niamh Smyth will also hear the key priorities of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland.

The meeting starts at 12.30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House and will be split into two sessions, with representatives outlining the key priorities of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland from 12.30-1.25pm.

After, from 1.30-2.30pm, the committee will hear from representatives of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland on the impact of Covid-19 on coach and tour operators.

Ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Smyth said: “As we move into this latest phase of managing life with Covid-19, the Committee will begin the new term hearing from two sectors severely impacted by the pandemic.

She added that the committee has previously considered the effects of Covid-19 on television and film production, and latest discussion is aimed at expanding that further.

“In our second session with the Coach Tourism and Transport Council, the Committee will discuss the impact of the pandemic on the coach and tour operators, who saw their businesses frozen due to the loss of overseas visitors and the effect of public health restrictions on domestic tourism and travel,” concluded Deputy Smyth.

The Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV HERE.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.