Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the proposal to raise the ceiling, but I hope it is more than just an aspiration and that extra money will be allocated. I hope the Minister of State impresses this on the Minister for Finance. We all welcome the work done by Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland in promoting this country as a destination and a place to travel. It is ironic that some of the advertisements show a few locals in their local pub, perhaps with some music or having a bit of chat. Is there anything the Minister of State can do under his tourism remit to help make local pubs sustainable? There is no point in promoting an item that might not be there in another decade. Day in, day out we hear of pubs closing. I am a regular traveller to Listowel for the races and writers' week. A number of pubs there have closed in the past ten years. Fáilte Ireland highlights the atmosphere, camaraderie and friendship of the local pub. If will lose this we will lose tourism.