Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I take the Minister's point as regards highlighting the negative in respect of any aspect of the country's life. However, we should not close our eyes to negative developments that can lead to a deterioration in any particular area. Here we are talking about tourism. As regards the particular survey that was the subject of Question No. 14, I know the Minister said it did not deal with accommodation. When we see, however, that the cost of holidaying in Ireland went up by 26% last year as against a decrease of 20% in the US, and an item such as film costing €6.20 here compared to €1 in South Africa, it is something that should give us pause for thought.

One of the important areas where we are losing out is as regards the English motorist. Since duty-free was abolished, there is very little attraction in coming to Ireland that way. It was pointed out at our committee last week, however, that Irish tourists going to France can purchase wine and bring it back here duty-free. Has the Minister or his colleague, the Minister for Finance, been reviewing any initiatives to make it more attractive for motorists to come here on car ferries? Essentially, is the Minister saying there is not a real problem in terms of the tourism cost base in Ireland? Is he dismissing completely the figures revealed in the survey that is the subject of Question No. 14?

See this speech in context