Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)

I am delighted to have an opportunity to speak in support of the Government's counter-motion tonight. We are all familiar with the phrase "only an hour from Dublin". At the time when Navan was only an hour from Dublin, Galway was three and a half hours from Dublin. In its advertisements in the newspapers a well-known Clifden hotel is now saying it is only two hours from Dublin to Galway.

The new M6 motorway might not be counted as direct investment in tourism but those in the tourism industry can see its value and potential. When we refer to investment in the tourism industry let us look at the broad range of service and infrastructural development in Ireland. These developments, including the M6 across from the east to the west coast, make travel easier and quicker and that helps tourism. The new motorway from Shannon to Galway will be another important link for tourism in my part of the country. If we could get the outer bypass of Galway city developed, the hotelier in Clifden could tell people that the journey from Dublin to Connemara is even shorter.

There have been major investments by Government in recent years that will benefit tourism in my part of the country and elsewhere. It is to the Government's credit that the budget directly given to the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport this year, in effect, remains the same as it was last year despite the economic difficulties. There has been a fall-off in tourism in 2009 but, unfortunately, it comes against a backdrop of what has been described by leading economists as the worst international economic recession since 1932. Such a major economic change would have to be reflected in the tourism sector and similar type reductions have occurred in leading tourism destinations such as Cyprus, Greece and the Iberian Peninsula. The figures for the first quarter of this year when, unfortunately, we have had a 22% decrease in numbers, must be seen in context. The severe weather in the early months of 2010 curtailed travel and the volcanic ash crisis followed that. However, the industry remains resourceful.

Examples of that are evident in my region in Galway. The group "Lets do it Galway" had a major task on hand when it set out to bring the Volvo Ocean Race to Galway, but it was successful and it did it a second time. The Government and Taoiseach gave them strong support. I compliment the Taoiseach who provided €8 million when he was Minister for Finance for the 2009 Volvo Ocean Race to support Galway. That must be acknowledged. It is estimated that the Volvo Ocean Race Galway stopover had an economic impact of more than €55 million in this country. There were approximately 45,000 visitors from this country and more than 40,000 overseas visitors in Galway for the occasion. There was a worldwide television audience in excess of 1 billion looking at events in Galway. That came from a great local initiative in Galway. It is worth noting that a survey shows 99% of those who came to Galway for the event said they would like to come back. They will have an opportunity in two years' time when the race comes to Galway again. The Government strongly supported the campaign for the 2012 Volvo race stopover and has committed funding of approximately €4 million to the event. I congratulate the chairman of "Lets do it Galway", John Killeen, on being made a freeman of Galway city recently.

Going further west into Connemara, I see that the campaign "Wild at Heart" is extending its work and holding an important meeting in Oughterard next Wednesday. That is a very good concept which is being strongly supported by Fáilte Ireland. It is linking up different groups such as hoteliers and activity centres to carry out marketing in co-operation with each other. The "Wild at Heart" campaign also helps with training in aspects of the industry such as Internet marketing and ecotourism. The funding for "Wild at Heart" is based on a 50% contribution from the local tourism sector and 50% from Fáilte Ireland.

As in all sectors, Fáilte Ireland has had to do with less money, but it is using what it has well. A total of 120 people from the tourism sector locally attended a seminar on Internet marketing organised by Fáilte Ireland western region in Galway last week. The seminar was wholly funded by Fáilte Ireland. That is a local example of the national strategy to provide advice and training on the use of the Internet in the tourism sector. A total of €11 million has been allocated in direct support for training and advice of this kind for the industry in 2010.

The broadband services that are needed are coming on-stream. The Government's strategy - in tandem with the 3 company - to bring broadband to all parts of the country is bearing fruit. Only last week I heard news from communities west of the towering Twelve Bens in Connemara that their broadband services had improved greatly. All sectors would like more money but the €44 million available for the tourism marketing fund this year is a considerable sum in the current economic circumstances.

I am confident that the initiatives such as I outlined in Galway will continue to energise tourism despite difficulties. I expect the Government will support such initiatives as strongly as possible in the current economic environment. In flying the home flag I remind Members that it is only two hours from Galway to Dublin.

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