Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for not being here for the presentations, but I had to speak in the Dáil on the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill. It is called multi-tasking. I appreciate that Deputy McLellan took over on my behalf.

Every Deputy and Senator understands how precious tourism is to this nation. We need to make it easy for people to come here, we need to provide good facilities for them when they are here and we need to eliminate obstacles to their getting here and enjoying themselves. If I might be parochial, there is a perception that there is a lack of tourism investment in the place I live. I live in north Leitrim and I am referring to Sligo and all of Leitrim. We have the most wonderful scenery, with a beautiful landscape including hills, mountains valleys, glens and beaches. We have culture, music and the arts. We have everything. We have an easygoing way of life, and perhaps that is at the nub of it all. Perhaps we are little too easygoing. When I travel around parts of the country I nearly burst into tears when I see the obvious investment in the tourism infrastructure in other areas. There is no hotel in north Leitrim. There was a hotel there up to two years ago but it is now dilapidated. It could be restored to be a beautiful hotel. It is in Dromahair in north Leitrim, close to the banks of Lough Gill near Parkes Castle. It would be a huge asset. The community wanted to take it over but we do not have a model to allow that type of community investment in our tourism industry. We are a little laid back and easygoing.

A number of people who are involved in the tourism industry in the county have set up a small co-operative. They are examining different ways to promote tourism, not only in Leitrim but as part of the Wild Atlantic Way. They have developed the Wild Atlantic butterfly route, with which the witnesses may be familiar. They have some wonderful concepts, looking at tourism promotion in a slightly different way. I would like the witnesses to meet representatives of that co-operative at some stage and I will follow up with them on that. They talked about volunteer ambassadors, but the best ambassadors we can have for tourism are those who will benefit from the results of their efforts. I will pursue with them the possibility of meeting those representatives at some stage in the near future. I have asked those representatives to put their thoughts in writing before they meet the witnesses. On a positive note, the Fleadh Cheoil will be held in Sligo this August, which is a great event. We love that one.

People might say that I am being parochial in raising the issue of fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, but I am not. The witnesses might say it is not their business, but it is. There are far too many organisations and State agencies who are sitting on the fence on this matter and all because the EPA is doing some research into fracking. Tourism organisations should be extremely concerned about even the possibility of fracking in to the north west of Ireland. Irish Water, the agrifood industry and many other industries should be concerned about it. Everybody is saying that it is not their call as it is not within the scope of their job description. If the EPA says that fracking can be safe provided it is well managed and controlled, one thing is sure: we will not have any overseas tourists coming to this country to look at fracking paths, and why would they come? If fracking comes to Ireland, we will find that tourists will not come here full stop. I would not go over to Texas to have a look at an oil rig over there. The short-term gain, if any, from fracking gas anywhere on the island of Ireland would forever be lost when account is taken of the damage that would be done to the landscape. The representatives and agencies such as theirs need to influence the Government and point out the risks to the tourism industry. Aside from the safety aspect of it, as the EPA will come up with a report on that, if our landscape is damaged, the agencies represented will not have a product to sell because tourists will not come here. The witnesses need to say that loudly and clearly.