Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

Is it not a fact that the number of tourists from Britain has dropped significantly in the past year? The figure is down 17%. Is it not the case that the Minister's airport departure tax of €2 per passenger travelling to the United Kingdom will have an adverse impact on this decreasing number? Does the Minister not think he should do away with that tax? It is affecting profitability on routes for the main airlines and it affects people's pockets, particularly when their income is reducing.

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