Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the three presentations. It is helpful for us that the witnesses attend regularly to update us on their activities. I do not see it as our duty to take the witnesses to task on their work. They all have boards of directors who have that role. Our role is one of support. I would be interested to hear what more we could do from a regulatory or legislative point of view to assist the witnesses in the marketing of this country overseas.

I echo the sentiments of the Vice Chairman on the distribution of tourists. It is clear to all of us that the main centre, in particular on the east coast, is developing more quickly. That goes back to what Mr. Nash has said about the holidaymaker versus the visitor. The east coast benefits from visitors more so than the rest of the country.

We published a report yesterday on the sponsorship and advertising of sports by the drinks industry. Do the witnesses have any views in that regard?

In terms of dealing with the structures around encouraging visitors and holidaymakers to travel to the regions, could the witnesses elaborate on the marketing structures and the structures of Fáilte Ireland in the regions? Could anything more be done to harness more activity into the regions, promote them and encourage more tourism?

Could Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland comment on what Mr. Vaughan and Mr. Fenn said about air access and port access? I was struck by what both witnesses from the Irish Hotels Federation said about the importance of opening up to new markets. They indicated the difficulties in the UK and the opportunities in Europe. As the witnesses are aware, there has been much contact between Ireland and China and it is seen as an emerging market. That is not to suggest that all resources should be directed towards marketing in China and to ignore the other markets. Is there a strategic plan focused on the Chinese market and if so, how then would the Government support the agencies in terms of bringing together air transport and air access points? The points raised by the Irish Hotels Federation are valid.