Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister and his Department for The Gathering which proved hugely successful in generating additional tourism revenue and footfall into the country last year. Deputy Dooley asks quite rightly how we can continue that momentum. My area of concern is how we continue to grow our UK numbers. Our neighbours in the UK have traditionally been very strong visitors to this country. If any initiatives are occurring in the UK, I would certainly welcome it. The Minister might be able to expand on that.
In respect of capital provision, there are many good initiatives that are starting to develop around the country. In my own neck of the woods in Waterford, both local authorities, which will be amalgamated into one local authority in a few months' time, are developing what they call the greenway. Is there any capital provision in these Estimates to support such projects? This particular project will link rural county Waterford around Mount Congreve gardens, which are of international significance, to the Viking triangle, into which many public funds have gone and which is proving very successful in increasing tourist numbers. Another project is the Waterford & Suir Valley Heritage Railway, which is a community-based initiative that is proving to be successful and again links to Mount Congreve gardens. It is initiatives like these that will continue the momentum and create attractions to persuade people to visit Ireland.
I apologise for coming late to the meeting. The next issue is tourism-related but is also road-related. The M9 is probably one of the only motorways in the country that does not have a service station. I know that it was proposed that a public-private partnership would deliver a service station. The drive from Dublin to Waterford is almost 100 km with no safe stop en route. Are there any plans to provide a service station on that motorway? It is a tourism issue as much as it is a road safety issue.