Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

There has been a decrease in the numbers of visitors from the USA and Canada in the last quarter of 2005 compared with the same quarter in the previous year and this is of concern. I agree the escalating cost of fuel is in many ways beyond national control. Aer Lingus is introducing a surcharge on long haul flights beginning on 15 May 2006. Are any devices available to the Government to subsidise the long haul carrier, the national carrier and other carriers operating on the route? It must be a concern that as the price of oil increases, it could have a significant effect on the numbers travelling to Ireland from long haul areas such as the United States and Canada. Is this issue being examined and are any realistic avenues available to allow the Government assist in keeping down the cost of travel?

I refer to the ferries which bring motorists from Britain to Ireland. It is correct to state that visitor numbers from the UK are increasing but will the Minister agree that to a large extent these visitors are coming to Dublin and staying there? The current pattern is for more short-stay visits. The British motoring tourist has always been very important in areas such as the south-east region and in the Minister's region.

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