Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

First, I wish to be associated with the remarks made about the Department of Foreign Affairs. I congratulate it on the release of Sharon Commins and her Ugandan friend and colleague.

The current situation has been arrived at because this country has an unaccountable democratic system in which the buck stops nowhere. No one is accountable in any Department. No Minister is accountable. Oireachtas committees are toothless, while local government members are powerless. This explains the current position.

I have called for a debate on tourism on numerous occasions. The failure of Fáilte Ireland to sell the country is at crisis point. Ireland has the product required in the activities of golf, fishing, walking and mountaineering. Moreover, access is available through Dublin, Knock, Shannon, Waterford, Kerry and Cork. However, no one is able to put together these packages. Both Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland have failed miserably in this regard. Members should have an urgent debate on the subject before the onset of the new season after Christmas because the sector is in crisis.