Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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For music. I have known Mr. O'Hara for several years. He spoke about the need to ensure there is an online presence 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. He is the only human being I know who seems to be able to keep going 24/7. I ask him to develop the point about funding. He has the ideas and the contacts.

Has a lack of funding prevented growth, not so much in the touring business but in the tourism product in the Sligo-Leitrim-Donegal region? Has it affected the area covered by the tours? It was mentioned that we do not have a presence at the Milan Expo. Are there other areas in which we should invest? Has money been invested unwisely? I would like Mr. O'Hara to talk us through those few points.

I am sorry Mr. Casey is not accompanied by Mr. Felim O'Rourke. I had the pleasure of debating with him several times when he was at Sligo IT. I had hoped he would attend today so that I could renew my acquaintance with him. I ask Mr. Casey to please pass on my good wishes to Felim when next they speak.

I do not know for sure but I will hazard a guess that if representatives of Fáilte Ireland were present they would disagree with the conclusion that its functions and resources should be given to independent tourism interests. Mr. Casey has said that this is done internationally. Where? Are there validated or reliable figures showing a return for every euro invested in tourism product promotion? How much is generated in return?

My next question, which is for all the guests, reflects the fact that my brief is communications, energy and natural resources. There has been a lot of discussion about pylons and wind turbines recently. Have pylons, wind turbines and hydraulic fracturing, if introduced, the potential to damage tourism projects in Ireland?

My final question is about Mayo County Council's enterprise and investment unit. There are organisations in every county that carry out the same role as the county council. How does one ensure there is no duplication, overlaps or gaps?