Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. I have two points to make. One relates to the figures under discussion. When the issue of maintaining the 9% VAT rate has been brought to the Minister’s attention he has always raised the figure of €360 million. It is important that the witnesses get the message to him that it is not costing that amount according to the report of Bord Fáilte. The point should be made more loudly than we have heard it so that everyone realises that is the case.

It is important for the sector to become involved in devising new ways of increasing tourism. I am promoting the development of the canals as cycleways. There is potential for new restaurants and cafés along the canals. It is necessary to find new ways of bringing people into the country rather than sticking with the Cliffs of Moher or fishing.

New ideas are important to drive forward from the success of The Gathering this year. We need to drive the industry forward rather than sit back on our laurels because we have had a great year. We can drive forward with new ideas from people such as the witnesses.