Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

The Minister has not clarified whether the tourism renewal group has reported yet. Will its report recommend emergency or long-term measures? Something that will try to salvage what remains of this year is needed, as otherwise the businesses concerned simply will not be there next year. That is the truth, no matter what the Minister might say. From the perspective of salvaging what remains, does the Minister have an initiative in mind ? Last week, the Taoiseach announced an initiative as though he was funding it. However, it turns out that the poor old industry is putting in a further €37 million to pay for the €50 voucher that everyone is to receive. Does it make sense for the industry to be putting up €37 million while the Minister for Finance simultaneously is taking in €45 million from the travel tax? Does it not make sense to abolish the travel tax and try to induce more people to visit? On the one hand, money is being spent to get people in but, on the other hand, they are being taxed when they do so, which seems to be counter-productive.

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