Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I was present at the UCD bid to secure the use of its facilities by sportsmen who will be at the Olympics. The same has been done in the University of Limerick and the National Aquatic Centre hopes to get some of the synchronised swimming teams. Potential exists in this area but we do not have specific numbers yet. Dr. Ronnie Delaney and Pat Hickey of the OCI have been very supportive of this work.

I would not scoff at the number of Londoners who might want to get out of London and we will make it attractive for them to come here. We will launch itineraries for the press on the themes of sports, cultural difference and the "go where Ireland takes you" theme.

Deputy Mitchell is right about the visas in China. It was a great coup when Ireland was designated as a tourism destination from China. I was part of the trade mission in China when that happened. I have written to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform about the visa issue. There should be a common visa between Britain and the Republic of Ireland to make it easy. This is a long-term policy but there is a burgeoning middle class in China who will be travelling a lot more and we must make it as easy as possible for them.

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