Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State said that operational matters are matters for the agency, and I agree. Now that we have highlighted a specific issue, however, I want the Minister of State to intervene to ensure there is a level playing pitch and every part of Ireland gets equal marketing. Everyone knows that parts of the country are getting preferential treatment in terms of marketing and attracting foreign visitors, which is unfair. The midlands has plenty to offer, including the Royal Canal, Grand Canal, River Shannon, the lakes and many other amenities such as Belvedere House and gardens, all of which I have highlighted. I want the Minister of State to give a commitment that either he or the Minister will raise this issue with Tourism Ireland to ensure the midlands gets fair treatment. I have a copy of the advertisement showing an entire section of Ireland was left without marketing. It was just blank, as if the midlands were a desert island.

The Minister of State mentioned The Gathering and many good projects in the midlands are in the offing, but they are all community driven. Last night in Mullingar the community led in launching www.mullingar.ie to show what we have to offer in that provincial town in Westmeath. I want the Minister of State to give a commitment that he will to speak to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to ensure the midlands - a broad region encompassing more than just my constituency - will get fair play in terms of advertising in 2013 because we have not got it in 2012. In the equivalent publication in 2010, we got three pages but nothing in 2012, which is unfair and needs to be addressed.

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