Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

I welcome Deputy McConalogue to his position of responsibility as Opposition spokesperson on transport, tourism and sport. I remind him that the line Minister will be Deputy Varadkar; it is simply that the responsibilities he will have not yet been transferred.

The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, in a interview on a news programme today expressed his disappointment that this charge was imposed. He was preparing with his officials to approach the airlines on this matter. I do not believe contact had been made as regards the €3 tax but the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, described the imposition of this tax as a major disappointment. Ryanair will use the argument that it is compensation for losses resulting from the impact of the ash cloud and other reasons but, nevertheless, it is disappointing at a time when the Government was being asked to reduce the travel tax that this hike in taxes has now been imposed. I am sure it will act as a disincentive to people travelling to this country.

Prior to the election I drew up a tourism plan, having consulted widely on it, including with Ryanair. It made a commitment at that time that, if the travel tax was scrapped, over a period it could bring an additional 5 million to 6 million tourists into the country and perhaps create 5,000 to 6,000 jobs. I accepted what it said in good faith at that time but today's news is disappointing and I understand the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, expressed that disappointment earlier in an interview on national radio.

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