Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I support the Labour Party motion, which covers many of the issues at the heart of the current crisis facing the tourism sector. Tourism is of major value to the Irish economy but is capable of greater development as an indigenous growth area. While the priority is to maintain what we have built up, we must look to the future. Many of the current problems faced by the tourism industry are a direct consequence of the global economic situation and the decline in numbers of overseas and domestic holidaymakers. It is not rocket science to realise that when times are difficult, one of the first areas on which households economise is holidays. However, there are also ways tourism could be helped to recover, even in the current climate. It is likely we will be behind other countries in recovering from the recession because of the disastrous manner in which the current Government is mishandling the financial crisis. Even in that context, the tourism sector could still benefit from an upturn in overseas tourism when other economies strengthen. That would constitute a major boost to a large indigenous industry and the overall economy. There is also the potential timebomb represented by the intervention of NAMA in the hotel sector and the existence of so-called zombie hotels, which add more beds to an already oversupplied market and which threaten to distort that market further. That is one more illustration of the disaster that is NAMA and the attempted bolstering of bankrupt property speculators. It would be more useful to convert those hotels on NAMA's books to some other socially beneficial function rather than to leave them to operate as hotels and to damage legitimate operators already under considerable strain.

The motion is also correct to address costs and, in particular, the need to review rents, which in many instances do not reflect current economic reality. They are imposing intolerable strain on many businesses, including in the tourism sector. There is also a need, as there is in other sectors, to ensure banks give credit to businesses. In the current situation, the State has the power to enforce that, given the stake it has taken in the failed financial system. The motion also refers to the need for businesses in the tourism sector to comply with the relevant employment legislation. That is an important issue because hotels, catering and bars are among the lowest paying sectors of the economy. While employers regularly refer to labour costs being among the issues that have an impact on tourism, average wages are low for the majority of workers here. Quite a number of employers in the hotel business have been found to be in breach of regulations on working conditions and wages and it has been widely suggested that even at the height of the boom many employers were not only paying low wages but employing people with the objective of further lowering wages. Among the issues identified by unions representing hotel workers were people working long hours. This amounted to 12-hour days in some instances, without being paid overtime or given proper breaks. That many hotel workers are from overseas was seen by some unscrupulous employers as presenting the opportunity to pay low wages and to ,.deny them proper conditions as well as undermining wages and conditions for the existing workforce. It is vital that the way to recovery is not seen as lying in the direction of further cuts in wages and undermining conditions. That is not confined to the tourism sector and any attempt to allow employers to opt out of wage agreements on the basis of claiming inability to pay must be strongly resisted.

The motion refers to innovative ways in which recovery can come about. These include encouraging eco-tourism and placing more emphasis on promoting local cultural events to entice tourists to come here from overseas. A report drawn up by Sinn Féin, in consultation with people involved in various aspects of tourism, makes reference to the great potential in developing and promoting local cultural events and resources as tourist attractions. This could embrace everything from sites of historical interest to local music, folklore and literature. That has been done in some places. I refer to Listowel writers week and the events to commemorate Patrick Kavanagh around his native place in Enniskeen in my county, which have been particular successes. More could be done in that direction and the development of sites, the archiving of resources and compiling of local historical and genealogical information can also provide a valuable source of employment through community projects. That will be possible only if we have a Government that adopts a positive attitude to such matters as opposed to the current austerity regime threatening to destroy much of what those community-based employment initiatives have achieved.

The motion neglects to mention one area of vital importance, namely, cross-Border and all-Ireland tourism. As a representative of two Border counties it is of importance to me and it requires an overall strategy to advance the opportunities that exist for the benefit of communities on both sides of the Border. There has been some progress on this area and there are still many worthwhile initiatives in train despite the current difficult economic environment. People involved in the tourism sector on both sides realise the potential benefits in attracting visitors who will regard Fermanagh and Cavan as part of one package. Progress has been made in respect of the Erne-Shannon cruise concept. If the full potential for tourism throughout the island is to be realised, we must move towards an all-Ireland strategy driven by one body. I echo the words of the Deputy Mary Upton, who moved the motion, that this is important and must be taken on board and pursued. My colleagues in Stormont are keen to drive this forward, as they are keen to promote all-island economic links to the benefit of people across all 32 counties. Tourism formed part of the discussion yesterday at the first North-South parliamentary forum joint working group meeting in Stormont, which I attended. We hope this will be a feature of our intended conference in the autumn.

I add my support for the motion. I hope this view is shared by all parties in the House. More emphasis needs to be placed on the all-Ireland dimension and my colleague, Senator Pearse Doherty, hopes to present the report to which I referred to the committee later this year. That report will address many of the issues referred to in the motion. I hope it earns similar attention and consideration when concluded.

I refer to the matter of tourist visas, which must be addressed. The level of documentation required of visitors from China and India is excessive. The matter is not confined to those countries. They must provide six months of bank statements, a letter of invitation, a marriage certificate, birth certificates for children even if they are not travelling, a notarised certificate showing they have no criminal record, three consecutive payslips and a letter from their employers, showing they have been granted a leave of absence and stating the duration of employment, their position and their salary. This is far in excess of the requirements of most EU countries. When faced with such onerous demands, many potential visitors will decide to spend their money elsewhere. It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that these shores will attract visitors from such major population centres as India and China.

The Minister's colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform must also address the treatment of some of these visitors when they arrive at Dublin Airport. I refer to treatment meted out by the Garda Síochána in terms of immigration. In several widely reported incidents, travellers in full possession of the proper documents received far less than the céad míle fáilte we would like to promote and of which we should be proud. This is a blight on our international reputation and is unquestionably referred to overseas. It can only discourage Ireland as a tourism destination for many nationalities. We must have the widest scope and appeal to promote ourselves to the full. I hope the Minister will take on board those concluding remarks also.

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