John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

Ireland's share of the continental European market has not been as high as one might have wished. That 1.5 million people from that region came to this country last year shows that we are making significant gains. It is quite encouraging that we are making gains in markets as diverse as Germany, Italy, France and Spain. The tourism authorities are engaging in an aggressive marketing campaign in Germany, a country which is often seen as the litmus test of the continental market. We will face a greater degree of competition from the new accession states than we have before. Costs are lower in many such countries than they are here, as Deputy O'Shea said, and the holiday experience is cheaper as a result. It is important to point out, however, that Ireland has never been a low-cost mass destination and never will be. The opposite is the case. Ireland has successfully been a holiday destination for discerning visitors for many decades.

New opportunities will emerge for Ireland to gain a greater tourism market share as the accession states progress within the European Union and as their economies improve. We will closely monitor all markets to ensure that we increase the opportunity to gain market share. It is encouraging that 2003 was a peak year for tourism, outstripping the previous record year of 2000. I am confident that 2004 will be the best year Irish tourism has had.

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