John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I hand over to members, I will make a couple of observations. Both Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland paint a very positive picture. It appears as if the tourism figures will return very shortly to those for 2007 and 2008. There are also challenges which both delegates have outlined. These concern dispersing tourists to Ireland geographically and having them arrive throughout the year. The Wild Atlantic Way and other initiatives that have been mentioned are important in this regard.

One reason for the decline in tourists to Ireland was the economic crash throughout Europe and the rest of the world and another was that we had lost competitiveness. The abolition of the travel tax and the reduction in the VAT rate have helped and there has been very good value in the past three or four years. Is there a danger that we will revisit the same issues that arose in the past? The delegates stated pressure in Dublin and other main centres was building again. We all hear anecdotal evidence of increases in hotel accommodation costs. Is this a danger? Can we protect against the problems that contributed to the decline in the past?

On the question of the shoulder season, figures suggest 100,000 people from outside the State will be arriving for the Garth Brooks concerts. God help anyone coming for a casual holiday at that time and looking for accommodation around Dublin. Has there been engagement with promoters or others involved in the industry with a view to holding conferences and other events in the autumn or early in the year so as to disperse tourists? What efforts are being made in that regard?

Mr. Quinn stated Fáilte Ireland had entered a commitment with local authorities, worth €1 million, for marketing in the next three years. Is this an additional allocation or does it represent a different way of proceeding?

I start with those few observations and questions.