Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputies opposite for offering me their good wishes on my appointment. I am glad that Private Members' time has been given over to a debate on a subject as important as tourism. This debate belies comment in the media to the effect that tourism, culture and sport are not important to this country's people or its economy. Tourism is important as regards its potential to give rise to employment and investment and must be viewed in the context of the domestic and international markets. There is a resolve among people throughout all of the sectors to market the best of what is Ireland. Certainly, over the coming years I aim to prove that, as one of our indigenous industries, tourism, which already employs 200,000 people, is one area which we can expand and which will promote Ireland. I look forward to doing that and to working with the Opposition spokespersons on something which is genuinely in the best interests of the Irish people.

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