Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

Immigration policy is primarily a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Every sovereign state has a right and a responsibility to protect its borders and I do not believe that Ireland operates an aggressive immigration policy. From a tourism perspective, we have been fortunate to enjoy record numbers of visitors to Ireland in recent years. We welcomed over 8 million overseas visitors last year. This performance clearly demonstrates that the vast majority of visitors to Ireland experience few difficulties getting here.

I am not aware of immigration policy being a significant concern to the tourism industry. However, I am aware of some recent incidents which have been highlighted by those involved in bringing students to Ireland to learn English as a foreign language. This sector is an important niche tourism market and Ireland's tourist agencies have been actively involved in the marketing of Ireland as a location for English language learning. In 2007, some 140,000 students came to Ireland to learn English. An Indecon economic report commissioned by Fáilte Ireland in 2007 estimated that the economic impact of the English language sector in Ireland could amount to around €500 million at 2006 prices.

It is very important to protect this important market. Accordingly, I am pleased that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is carrying out a general review of student immigration. This review will draw up proposals for a more coherent approach to student migration consistent with Ireland's general immigration policy and with the Government's other policy objectives. The review is scheduled for completion in the near future and its recommendations will be discussed with other relevant Departments, including the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism.

It is recognised that new and developing markets in the Asia-Pacific region represent significant opportunities for growth in tourist numbers in the medium to long term. Tourism Ireland completed and published its review of new and developing markets in December last year. The review sets out ambitious targets for both visitor numbers and revenue earnings over the period to 2013.

Unlike our more established tourist markets, visitors from these markets require a visa before entering Ireland. Tourism Ireland has specified that the need to ensure that visitors from these locations can secure the necessary visa in an efficient and cost-effective manner is of critical importance in maximising the opportunities from these markets. My Department has received a discussion paper from Tourism Ireland on the issue and will be pursuing the matters raised in it with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

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