Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

The approximate amount of money we will take in because we have not abolished the tax between now and the end of the year is €9 million. Half of that is being made available to Tourism Ireland for co-operative marketing and other initiatives with airlines, ferry companies, tour operators and others. Essentially, a call went out to those bodies to come in with their tourism and marketing plans. Obviously they have to contribute to them. It is not free money for an airline; it must cough up some money of its own as well. The €4 million or so will leverage more when one includes what will come from the airlines and tour operators. The key issue is companies must come back with a marketing plan, proposals and promotions that we consider will be of benefit and will increase tourism. Tourism Ireland is finalising those now with a view to agreeing some but not all within the next week or so. I will make an announcement in the House once I have the information and the agreements are signed. Who knows what will happen next year. Nothing has yet been decided for next year.

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