John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

What I can say to Deputy Deenihan is there is evidence of a substantial increase last year in the number of visitors coming to the regions. Of that, there is no question. There is a correlation between the increase in the number of visitors and the revenue. I have explained all of that already.

With regard to the national conference centre, about which Deputy Deenihan asked, I anticipate we should be in a position to close the deal on it in the very near future. Some loose ends require to be tied up and then I sincerely hope we will be in a position to proceed with it. A national conference centre is of immense importance because of the fact that we anticipate it will be worth in the order of €50 million in additional tourism revenue to Dublin and will attract anything up to 30,000 additional visitors to the city.

On the statistical questions which Deputy Deenihan asked, I will try to get the figures he requested. I cannot guarantee they are available but we will try to come as close as we can to getting them.

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