Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

A strong Exchequer funding commitment to the sector will be key to achieving the ambitions set out in the tourism policy People, Place and Policy - Growing Tourism to 2025. There is an additional investment in 2016 of €2 million in key elements of Fáilte Ireland's and Tourism Ireland's programmes along with continued capital investment next year and beyond to 2022. This funding will enhance supports to the new experience brands of the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East and Dublin: A Breath of Fresh Air, provide funding needed for the Rugby World Cup 2023 and increase overseas marketing activities in key destination markets. Within the overall additional investment of €2 million, half will be used in the allocation for overseas tourism marketing activity. This is the first increase in the funding since 2008, and will enable our strong overseas marketing campaigns to continue in our key target markets and help ensure that our ambitious targets for further growth are met.

On the impact of the Brexit vote, I would like to make a few quick comments. The vote has clear implications for the tourism sector, given the relative importance of the British market. It should also be noted that, while the British market accounts for 40% of overseas visit numbers, it accounts for around 25% of the total associated revenue from overseas visits. This is due to the fact that visitors from further afield generally tend to stay longer when on holidays here. Even prior to the referendum result, there was a commitment in the tourism policy statement to prioritising tourism marketing efforts towards those markets providing higher revenue returns.

Tourism Ireland is monitoring the situation in Britain and has been in contact with relevant players, including members of the central marketing partnership group. Tourism Ireland's chief executive officer is travelling to London this week to meet key industry figures there and has been in contact with organisations such as VisitBritain, the European Tour Operators' Association and UK Inbound as well as long haul tour operators to the UK. On the back of these consultations, Tourism Ireland will decide on what further actions, if any, are required in the short term.

It is important to remember that at the moment there are no planned changes to how people can travel between Ireland and the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland. In his response to the referendum result, the Taoiseach committed the Government to doing its utmost in upcoming discussions to maintain the common travel area and minimise any possible disruptions to the flow of people between the islands.

It is also important to state here that there are no changes to how North-South bodies, including Tourism Ireland, operate. Again, the Taoiseach's statement made it clear that the maintenance of the strong spirit of partnership that has developed since the Good Friday Agreement will be a priority for the Government.