Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I compliment the Minister of State on his speedy movement of the Bill through the House. While the Bill is technical in nature, it sets out a commitment to recognise the importance of investment in the tourism industry, particularly in capital infrastructure. I encourage the Minister of State, in his ongoing work in the Department and at Government level, to ensure the tourism industry remains in focus.

I know about the work of the Government in assisting the tourism industry through the reduction of VAT, a matter I do not propose to discuss, as the Minister of State knows my views on it. I do not believe the reduction has worked, or that it will do so. We must be prepared to invest significant amounts of money in the capital product that underpins the industry. The discretion for people travelling across the world has changed and their expectations are greater and different. Therefore, we can only go so far in attracting them with our current product. We have beautiful scenery, fantastic destinations and fine hotels, but we need to look to a new era with a range of products that surpasses the best throughout the world.

Given the Minister of State's commitment, I have no doubt he will seek to ensure funding is put in place. This will be more difficult in the current environment because the private investment that was available in the past is no longer available to the same extent in what is considered to be a speculative business. However, if the right approach is taken to using pension funds, there will be a willingness on the part of outside and private sources to participate, as well as on the part of practitioners in some of the major attractions around the world who recognise and understand the tourism business. For too long we have sought to rely on our scenery and uniqueness, but that will not be enough for the future.

I urge the Minister of State to take the comments of Deputies on board and to try, wherever possible, to develop a properly resourced tourism product development fund that will allow for the provision of the most appropriate product to ensure we retain and grow our tourist numbers in the future.

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