Ms Elaina Fitzgerald Kane:

With regard to the broader numbers, overall tourism revenue is €9.2 billion and €7.25 billion of this comes from international tourists with only €1.95 billion coming domestically. This is in a normal year. When we have closure and partial reopening it is a completely different kettle of fish. Urban areas such as Dublin have been particularly affected and decimated. In Dublin prior to the pandemic 83% of hotel business came from overseas so we can appreciate how particularly affected it was. The remaining 17% was largely driven by concerts and other large events. As an island nation with a border it is critical that we get this right when it is safe to travel. The EU digital certificate is one form of how we can make this happen and it will be a critical part of safe reopening when the time comes.

We have looked at many of the surveys carried out overseas by Tourism Ireland. There is huge pent-up demand. Other countries do not get how closed we are. When we look at the statistics on the number of days closed versus our primary markets overseas, particularly the United States, there is a lack of connection between them. It is hugely important.