John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. Since the dip in tourism figures in 2010, we have seen the huge success of The Gathering, which continues to send out a ripple effect. For example, an event along the same lines is taking place in my own village this weekend, with 50 family members, 25 of them from America, coming together. Overseas visitor numbers are up 10.3% compared with the first six months of 2013. The number of trips to Ireland increased by 12.3% in quarter two, April to June, last year compared with the previous year. This is all excellent news for everybody involved in the tourism sector and reflects the great work being done by the Government. The figures for North American tourists are increasing year on year, as are those for mainland Europe and Britain. I am confident we will see those trends continue in 2015.

We have a great deal to offer in this country from a tourism perspective. Indeed, if we had good weather, it would be the best place in the world in which to holiday. It is the only thing we cannot guarantee, so it would be great if the Minister could do something about the weather. Other speakers referred to the various aspects of our tourism product, including the hugely successful Wild Atlantic Way initiative and the similarly successful greenway route from Westport to Achill. We have fantastic lakes and rivers, cycle routes and walkways, as well as wonderful attractions such as the Cliffs of Moher, Croagh Patrick and Achill Island, the latter being a beautiful place with lovely people and one of my own favourite places in the world. It is a vital part of our tourism package that we have the friendliest people in the world, as reflected in the feedback from visitors. Tourists like to encounter friendly staff in pubs, clubs, hotels and restaurants.

The Government's new tourism policy - People, Place and Policy - seeks to grow tourism over the next ten years with a view to generating an annual revenue of €5 billion from 10 million visitors in 2025. This expansion would see employment in the sector rising to 250,000, an increase of 50,000 over the current level. The Government has given an undertaking to retain the VAT rate at 9%, something which has proven very successful, so long as we remain competitive. Staying competitive is crucial to the further success of our tourism industry.

Anybody working or living in Dublin city can see it is full of tourists all year round. The same is true of Galway city. All across the country, small towns and villages are hosting events to attract tourists, which involves a great effort on the part of large numbers of volunteers. I take this opportunity to compliment Jim O'Sullivan, who is trying to develop a Beara-Breifne greenway based on an old famine walk from the Beara Peninsula up to Leitrim village. He is working with a colleague and friend of mine, Jimmy Coogan, on that project, but they have, unfortunately, encountered some problems. Farmers are largely co-operating but where they do not, the initiative is running into problems. Perhaps the Minister might consider offering some type of incentive to farmers who do not want people crossing their land.

My own county of Roscommon has a great deal to offer but is one of those counties that tends to be forgotten. Marketing of the region by Fáilte Ireland focuses mainly on places like Wesptort and Galway, with counties such as Roscommon losing out despite the attractions it has to offer. We have Lough Key Forest Park, for instance, and many beautiful lakes and rivers. We have the heritage capital of Ireland, as far I am concerned, in Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, with all its ring forts. We also have Clonalis House and the Irish National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park. The list of attractions is endless. In common with other counties, we also have traditional song and dance to offer. Unfortunately, Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, who is a great champion of Irish music, is not in the Chamber. Tourists love to hear the Irish singing and to see Irish dancing. Simple things like that mean a great deal to visitors.

In the village in which I grew up, Ballintubber, there is an old castle which was never developed in any way. This coming weekend, however, 50 American student archaeologists are arriving to stay in the village for six months or more while they investigate what is hidden under the ground at the castle site. That is a fantastic opportunity for a village with two pubs, one church and a post office. Greater investment in heritage might well yield a huge benefit for the Government by way of an increase in tourism revenues.