Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Kelly and Ms De Saulles from Fáilte Ireland, and Mr. Niall Gibbons from Tourism Ireland. We all agree that 2019 was a fantastic year for tourism in Ireland with 260,000 jobs. Every €1 million spent on tourism supports 27 jobs, while generating money for the Exchequer of €1.8 million.

I come from the wee county, Louth, which contains the M1 motorway connecting Dublin to Belfast. Louth is very lucky to have the two biggest towns in Ireland, Dundalk and Drogheda, as well as plenty of small towns and villages. We appreciate the capital investment in Louth in recent years on King John's Castle in Carlingford, as well as the money invested in the Fleadh Cheoil in Drogheda. We, in Louth, feel we have much to offer and this corner of Ireland should not be neglected. We have the Drogheda Museum in Millmount, St. Peter's church, the Monasterboice high cross and round tower, the Carlingford adventure centre, the great eastern greenway, which connects Omeath and Carlingford, as well as the County Museum in Dundalk, to name just a few.

The alarm signals are in the report. In 2020, the industry will lose €6 billion, with thousands of jobs lost especially along the Border. What plans have been put in place? All counties have done well in recent years. To make money requires investment. We are hoping that the funding is there. The witnesses spoke well together. What plans do they have for tourism funding in Louth?

It was mentioned that €3 million was refunded to businesses in fees etc., which seems like a small amount of money. What are the plans? I ask the witnesses not to forget County Louth.