Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

Traditionally British tourists served rural areas well. They supported small operators in the west and in Kerry principally because they brought their own cars. There is a significant fall-off in the number of tourists from the UK coming here with their cars. We all recall seeing the GB plate on cars around the country when we were youngsters. They are not so prevalent now.

Will the Minister ask Tourism Ireland and the ferry companies to concentrate on attracting the car driving tourist back into Ireland because rural areas benefited more from their business? Our roads have improved to some extent, and are less dangerous than they were.

Will the Minister encourage Tourism Ireland to sell our culture and heritage more? UK tourists find our culture and heritage, especially the ecclesiastical heritage, rather fascinating. We have not focused on this in the past.

The Minister turned the sod on the famous Lartigue Railway which is now up and running and attracting many UK tourists with very little marketing.

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