Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

On the issue of key barriers to tourism development, does the Minister share my concerns and those of many people, about the high cost for tourists when they visit the island? Has the impact of the smoking ban led to a decrease in the numbers visiting Ireland? I have been talking to a number of tourists from Spain and Portugal who assert the potential to lose between 20% and 25% of the European market exists because of the smoking ban.

Will the Minister say whether it is unacceptable to have tourists and Irish citizens standing in the rain having a cigarette and a drink? Finally, as regards the 97% of tourists who are satisfied, that is a particularly high figure. Who did the survey and what type of questions were asked?

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