Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the witnesses and the horrendous year that their sectors has had. I thank them for being here. I thank Ms Andrews for her work as chair of the task force. I note the presence on the task force of a former boss of mine, Eoghan Corry, from my GAA journalism days.

Mr. Gallagher was very pessimistic, or maybe honest and frank when he touched on solvency. From his liaison with the Irish Hotels Federation and other industry partners, what is his sense going into Christmas and the new year of those who might not be in a position to trade in 2021? What is their status now?

A huge part of the report and a huge part of the testimony given today by Ms Andrews has been contingent on the international market being reactivated and the figure of 75% was quoted. I am also conscious that for people such as Mr. Gallagher or Mr. Connick it is not just about bookings, it is also about the spend. Previous tourism reports highlight the fact that the spend of international visitors is four times higher than that of domestic visitors. However, here we are in terms of a rock and a hard place because the report asks for a targeted reopening date to be communicated. Given that we do not know where we will be in six weeks' time, let alone the spring or summer of 2021, is this the ultimate in terms of the contingency plans, whereby the witnesses as professionals have to try to plug the hole between the domestic spend and the 75%? At what point can the domestic market try to rise beyond it?

Reference was made to a spend of €3 billion in this particular year. What is the potential to plug the gap between the €3 billion spend and the €9 billion spend accrued to the tourism market in a normal year? If the international tourism market is off the agenda for 2021, I am concerned because a huge part of the testimony today and a huge part of the report is contingent on it. I get totally that it is the model that sustains the industry but is there a contingency plan in terms of the growth capacity of a limited number of European visitors and the domestic market to plug that gap? I welcome Mr. Connick and I hope things are well in New Ross. I have enjoyed the Dunbrody experience on several occasions.