Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Upton and the Labour Party for putting down this Private Members' motion to facilitate a three-hour debate on tourism. The tourism industry, all Members agree, is an important indigenous economic sector which has the potential to contribute to Ireland's economic recovery. Several suggestions and proposals made by Deputies during the debate's course will be further considered.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Deputy Hanafin, outlined the importance of the sector and the Government's determination to have in place policies and programmes to develop the industry. The Government, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the tourism agencies understand fully the unprecedented difficulties confronting tourism businesses.

It is quite extraordinary when one examines the external environment facing Irish tourism since the start of 2008. There has been retrenchment by domestic and overseas consumers in the face of the worst economic downturn since the 1930s. Uncertainty in financial markets has affected the availability of credit along with fluctuating fuel costs, adverse currency movements, poor weather conditions in the early part of the year and a volcanic eruption.

However, the Government has affirmed its confidence in the tourism industry and its ability to respond to these challenges. Despite the pressure on the public purse, we maintained our investment in tourism and marketing. The tourism agencies are doing all in their power to support industry partners through these difficult times. Our marketing efforts will continue right through the summer in markets across the world. There are innovative plans for the third quarter too. The Minister will launch an intense autumn marketing drive towards the end of the summer.

We need to be optimistic in our approach and bold in our thinking and strategies. There are grounds for optimism. We have on this island overcome far greater challenges which should help to motivate us in addressing the challenges we face in putting tourism on the path to recovery.

The prize is a great one, consisting of a strong and sustainable future for this great industry of ours, for all those who work in it, for the communities at its heart and for all those who partner with us overseas.

There are many related activities that support tourism. One is the film industry in which the Irish Film Board, assisted by tax incentives, promotes film-making in Ireland, presenting a country that is interesting and beautiful to visit. Another is culture and heritage, both of which are strong points across the island. The Office of Public Works is conscious of the importance of the well-distributed archaeological and historical sites it manages and operates for the tourism industry and our important home visitors.

Like agriculture, fisheries and forestry, tourism is an indigenous and employment-intensive industry. There is no strong economy in the world, no matter how large, and no city that does not value its tourism industry and which would not be infinitely poorer without it.

Ireland has much to offer. While many of us like to travel abroad, we should also spend plenty of time enjoying different parts of our country, its festivals, parks, sites and amenities. When launching the Fáilte Ireland summer home campaign, the Minister pointed out that four out of five Irish families with children are likely to take a holiday in Ireland this year. For my part, I have always taken a home-holiday somewhere along the west coast from Cork to Sligo every year since my parents could first afford to book us into Mrs. Fitzgerald's bed and breakfast in Sneem in 1961.

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