Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I do not blame the Minister for trying to appear upbeat. While I do not blame the Government for all the factors affecting tourism, including exchange rates, weather, recession at home and abroad, and now the ash, those in the industry must wonder if it will ever recover. I did not comment when the Minister announced her initiative. However, it was high in media hype, but low in content. There was only one thing worth saying, which was that there would be no cancellation fee for tourists who could not get here. However, the other items in the code were really things that any hospitality service should be providing. Is a promise not to overcharge the best we can offer people?

The Minister has said that the purpose of the initiative is to create confidence. In my view it did not create confidence; it did the exact opposite. It highlighted that we are the only island country in Europe and there was quite a strong possibility that tourists who got here could end up being left here. That was the danger of having a code such as this and marketing it in every one of our possible markets.

What is happening now to deal with the fluctuating situation? It would be within the Government's remit to eliminate the departure tax. The airlines are haemorrhaging money and Aer Lingus in particular must be in extremis and yet it is being asked to pay money to the Government in this tax.

The Dublin Airport Authority must be in extreme difficulty with the fall in passengers. While the Minister indicated that the number of overseas visits to Ireland fell by 11.6% between 2008 and 2009, the throughput through the airport must have reduced by more than that.

Regarding the redirecting of marketing as a result of exchange rates changing and the fact that it is so difficult to get from, for example, Germany with any certainty because of the volcanic ash, should we consider targeting countries, whose tourists can come by ferry, and America, which is not as affected by the ash?

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