Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

Ireland has not developed the foothold it needs in continental Europe if it is to get its full share of the tourism business from that region. The Minister's figures have indicated that fewer than 25% of tourists who visit this country come from continental Europe. It is obvious that if the new member states have great capacity in their tourism product, they will develop it with the assistance of the EU. They will improve access and other tourist facilities. Is it not the case that Ireland's tourism industry faces a monumental problem? There is a perception that one will not get value for money here by comparison with low-cost countries, more of which will market their products. Even if such countries do not operate in opposition to Ireland per se, we will compete for the same sort of market.

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