Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I, too, have already said what I am going to say now. The revenue loss of €2 million that Deputy Mitchell mentioned represents approximately 10,000 people involved in providing self-catering units. In a year when we all know tourism is doing so poorly, this would be a gesture to the industry to indicate we are concerned about it and sensitive to its current problems.

As Deputy Mitchell said, it costs €200 to be registered and people may decide not to register with Fáilte Ireland as a result of this. The conditions for registration would not hold and this could result in an inferior product. There are now people selling their self-catering units by means of the Internet and doing their own promotion. Such people may get more clients than would through Fáilte Ireland brochures and its marketing process.

As a result of this measure, people may not bother listing with Fáilte Ireland, and its fees will go up anyway. Fewer people will be registered with Fáilte Ireland and, although people will have to pay the €200, we may see an inferior product as a result. The Minister should consider that.

The case was strongly put on Second Stage and again on Committee Stage by both Labour and Fine Gael. I urge the Minister to accept the amendment. Perhaps it could be reviewed in future, but because of what is happening currently in the Irish tourism industry, it is important that these amendments are implemented. Although €200 may not seem much, to the 10,000 people in the sector, it could mean a great deal. As I have stated, it could cause fewer people to register with Fáilte Ireland, leading to an inferior product.

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