Mr. Mike Buckley:

There is still a significant amount of uncertainty about 2022. The international marketplace is starting to reopen slowly. The big issue in Ireland, as the Deputy knows, is the lack of connectivity. We have 80% less connectively into the county from all the major tourism markets worldwide at present. That in itself is a worrying factor. Even when consumer sentiment is high, if people cannot travel here, they will go to a different destination in the world. There is a huge sense of uncertainty. Certain outdoor niche markets, such as hiking, walking and golfing, may bounce back quicker. Due to the nature of the virus, people who traditionally came to Ireland in large groups to travel together may become reticent. Many of the incoming tour operators are telling us that people are simply not buying from their brochure tours. As an anecdote, I know of one tour company operating a large coach that is travelling around Ireland at present with two American visitors in it. There is a driver and a guide on that coach. The tour company wanted to operate the tour in order to send out the message that Ireland was open for business. They are the harsh realities of where we are at present. There is still a large amount of uncertainty and we do not know what 2022 will bring.