Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I am not sure what Deputy Durkan had in mind when he tabled these questions but I think they are interesting as tourism has changed dramatically in recent months, given rising fuel prices, market fluctuations, currency fluctuations and changes in interest rates. Projections for this year have changed, as have marketing plans. At times of economic uncertainty discretionary money, such as that spent on holidays, is the first to be hit and as an island country, fuel surcharges and so on make us vulnerable.

Is a review planned, given how the market has changed completely? There is no doubt world tourism will shrink this year and we will have to work hard to maintain market share. I agree with the Minister that Ireland does not compete only on price but we must be aware of this factor. Prices in Dublin, such as that for a cup of coffee, are off the scale and this gives a bad impression to visitors, particularly if Dublin is the gateway to a person's holiday in Ireland. They will be left with a bad taste in their mouths if a cup of coffee there costs three times that in any other European capital.

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