Northern Ireland Office Minister Mr Ian Pearson is to have talks with tourist board management in a bid to restore public confidence in the aftermath of a damning report on spending, it emerged today.
The Enterprise Minister said he would be watching closely how the Northern Ireland Tourist Board implemented the recommendations of a Public Accounts Committee report.
The report was strongly critical of a number of aspects of how the NITB was run, including the use of a credit card in New York, the awarding of print contracts and its evidence to the committee.
Mr Pearson accepted that there had been serious deficiencies in both the organisation and operation of the tourist board.
However, he added: "A detailed action plan to address the problems identified by PAC has been prepared, which includes both actions taken to date and those scheduled for implementation during 2003," he said.
Mr Pearson said he would be meeting with management in the new year to discuss how best to implement the action plan and build on the changes that have already been implemented.
Mr Pearson said tourism contributes to the creation of a competitive, dynamic economy and the raising of Northern Ireland's international profile.
PA