Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

If issues as Deputy Mitchell highlighted arise — I do not have specific evidence of that but I will take what she states in good faith — they are very unhelpful and unacceptable practices.

On the other side of that coin, the number of visitors who went to the cultural institutions last year, many of which are managed by the OPW, for the first time went over 3 million. It is a very successful part of our tourism product.

Negotiations that preceded last year resulted in an extension to opening hours and more weekend opening, which must be the case. It is a seven-day business and, if you like, a seven night business in many of the locations around the country. I am told that this year that will be even further extended to facilitate tourists which is something we need to do.

The fact that 3 million tourists are now going through the cultural institutions puts cultural tourism as a central plank of the tourism product. I am trying to achieve more harmony for the tourism bodies, supported by them, between all the cultural side of what would be traditionally known as tourism issues and tourism facilities. We can make progress. The industry is keen on that.

I am not aware of a passport issue at present in Dublin Airport. It certainly has not been brought to my attention. I certainly would not want that to be the case because the first place where many tourists interact with and get their first sense of Ireland is when they come in to our major airport in the capital, and it can set the tone for their view of the country and how they might enjoy their holiday time here. I will ensure that the issues the Deputy highlighted have been resolved or, if they have not, that they should be resolved immediately.

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