Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

I welcome the Bill and the opportunity to speak on the tourism industry. Since being appointed as Minister of State in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring has taken on his brief with passion and enthusiasm. I thank him for taking such a special interest in County Clare. He has visited us on a number of occasions since he became Minister. To follow on from what Deputy Daly said, during the summer months, when I was on holiday in West Cork, I heard the Minister being interviewed on Matt Cooper's radio programme. I want to put it on the record that the Minister played an absolute blinder in focusing on the positives of tourism in that interview. I know Mayo and Westport are particularly close to his heart, but we should export him at every available opportunity to sell the positives about Ireland, because his enthusiasm is infectious and it would go a long way towards filling jumbo jets and ferries with people and bringing them to Ireland. I congratulate him on the way in which he has begun his tenure in office.

Tourism is of vital importance to our economy. In 2010, the total spend by overseas visitors and domestic tourists was estimated to be some €4.7 billion. This year we have experienced a most notable and welcome increase in people travelling from Britain and North America. Coupled with this encouraging news are the data relating to visitors travelling from European countries being up by over 17%. This year in particular, Irish people bought into the concept of staying at home in Ireland for their holidays and in so doing gave a massive lift to the tourism industry.

It is important to keep this momentum and build upon this growth. The Bill before us today provides for that momentum to continue because it will enable the State to facilitate Fáilte Ireland continuing its programme of investment in capital expenditure on projects or enterprises. As the fund has been reduced to just €20 million it is now necessary to bring forward this amending legislation to increase the cap. I welcome the fact that agreement has been reached between the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to establish a new legislative cap of €150 million.

The growth experienced in tourism was stimulated in part by the decision made in the jobs initiative to reduce from 13.5% to 9% the level of VAT that applies to labour intensive tourism services. The halving of employer's PRSI for those on modest wages has given employers a real incentive to employ people in the tourism industry. Over the coming months and up to the Olympics 2012 we will also see the benefit of the visa waiver programme.

The New Horizons tourism action plan identified in 2006 a concern that Ireland's tourism product had become somewhat tired and lacking in verve for many tourists. This weakness is borne out by the fact that in the years up to 2009, the number of visitors to Ireland who thought the overall experience was either poor or very poor showed a significant increase. The industry is obviously facing key challenges related to competitiveness, product renewal and innovation. The future key to success must be value for money. Having said this, tourism figures recently released covering the period to the end of July 2011 highlight the continued growth in overseas tourist numbers in comparison to 2010. Overseas trips to Ireland increased by 9.4% to 1,948,800, with increases in visitors from mainland Europe, Britain and North America. The largest percentage increase in tourist numbers, at 18% and 200,000 visitors, comes from the market designated as "other". This indicates a lot of untapped potential around the world in markets and countries we may not have traditionally focused on when we sell Ireland as a destination.

I am delighted that this week in my own constituency of Clare, we had the announcement by Shannon Development that it is seeking tenders for the potential development of 120 acres adjoining Bunratty Folk Park and Castle along the lines of a theme park. A project such as this could have a significant impact on the whole of the mid-west and western region. The fact the lands are so close to Shannon Airport makes international accessibility easy. It is a project that is tailor made for aspects of this Bill. I would hope that this project will progress to the stage where Fáilte Ireland becomes involved.

At a different level, but just as important in scale, we saw last week the establishment of a sea-plane service, based at Mountshannon on the shores of Lough Derg. This is just the beginning of a service that is envisaged to link a beautiful part of east Clare with the rest of Ireland, the Aran Islands and indeed international destinations. It is this type of thinking and initiative we should facilitate and I hope that with the provisions of this Bill we will be in a position to do so.

I would also cite the potential regarding projects such as the provision of a pedestrian cable suspension bridge at Bishop's Island, which is located off the Loop Head peninsula just outside Kilkee in County Clare. It is interesting to note that in this area of west Clare this summer the opening to the public of the Loop Head lighthouse has been an enormous success. A combination of many small ideas can provide a most attractive package for a geographical area. I would hope that this is borne in mind and that the headline projects do not take up all available funding.

I welcome the creation by this Government of the new Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. There is an obvious link between transport and tourism which has been copperfastened with the establishment of this new Department. I look forward to the synergy that will be created as a result of combining transport and tourism.

Shannon Airport is the key driver of economic activity in County Clare, the mid-west and western regions. In this regard, I welcome the invitation made by the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, to the boards of Shannon, Cork and Dublin Airports for their views on how they would see the airports operating independent from the DAA. I have for a number of years advocated the path now being pursued by the Minister and have strongly suggested this approach in my discussions with him since the formation of the present Government. The Minister is fully aware of the importance of Shannon Airport to balanced regional development. The future of our airport is dependent on a proactive approach by Government and this initiative by the Minister clearly demonstrates that the indifference of the previous administration in this, and so many other matters, is at an end.

A new Shannon Airport, with a new dynamic, energised and committed board, will in a relatively short period of time demonstrate what can be achieved. This board must be policy driven, with a policy which is anchored on a commitment to having a viable airport serving the needs of the region. To meet those diverse needs we should not necessarily reject state ownership. Any narrow vision that might suggest that Shannon is just an airport serving the narrow needs of an airport community must be rejected. The new Shannon Airport must integrate and interface with the various interests in the region who depend on the Airport for their success and survival.

Those interests include those involved in the industry, tourism, education and balanced regional development. I look forward to further engagement with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on this issue. Put bluntly, it has been clear now for some time that the current structure has failed our airport. There is an opportunity now for a new and invigorating initiative for our airport which can benefit the region as a whole and bring significant national benefits and we must not let this opportunity pass.

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