Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

Deputy McCarthy was absolutely correct when he stated that rising fuel costs have not been of assistance in this matter. The difficulty we face with regard to ferry and airline services is that fuel costs are going to rise in the long term. Such costs may fluctuate but their long-term trajectory will be upwards. When new environmental regulations relating to the sulphur content of fuels, ferry services will become much more expensive. That is an underlying problem with which we will be obliged to deal.

While State aid has not been provided, a great deal of assistance has been forthcoming in the form of commercial investment. Such investment was made not just by local people, but also by the county and city councils, Enterprise Ireland and the Port of Cork Company. However, there comes a point where investment of this nature is no longer commercial. The support provided by Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland remains available and will still be in place in the future. I recognise the tourism benefits of facilitating direct access to the south west. People have the alternative of entering the country through Rosslare. Given that the latter is situated quite a distance from the south west, however, tourists may not be prepared to continue their journey to the region. I will make representatives from Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland available to work on business plans and marketing and co-operation initiatives. I am happy to take on board the suggestions put forward by the Deputies in that regard.

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