Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

If the Deputy goes back through the record of my time in the House, she will find that I am a Minister who seldom hides behind or points to an agency. I will indicate whether something is the primary responsibility of an agency, but I will give the Government's and my thinking on the question.

Tourism cuts across a range of sectors. Arts tourism is an important and growing area and sports tourism is exciting thanks to the attraction of events, particularly on an all-island basis. We held a number of all-island discussions on this issue with the Northern Ireland Executive, the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister as recently as last week. Event-led tourism is a significant sector in which we can invest.

I would be happy to discuss Shannon Airport from these benches at any time. As the Deputy knows, we have invested heavily in it through the years and it tends to have good and bad news from time to time. If there is a specific question, I will answer it, if I am allowed.

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