Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Tourism Ireland decided to hold a review the moment the result of the Brexit referendum was known.

That was a review to discuss and decide how to target new and developing tourist markets. The terms of reference for this review are being finalised now. It must be remembered that the referendum was only a couple of weeks ago, and it would be crazy to have a knee-jerk reaction.

The new strategy will focus on marketing and on the training and upskilling required for those working in the tourism industry in the State in order to meet the needs of visitors from these markets. It is very important to acknowledge two big uncertainties at the moment - the unknowns that must be addressed. These are the issues of sterling and the common travel area, CTA. It is very important to Ireland that the CTA be defended, whatever the result of the Brexit negotiations. Sterling is an absolute imponderable and it would be impossible to suggest that we might know where that will be in six months, five years or six years. That would be foolish. The Deputy may be absolutely assured that Tourism Ireland reacted immediately in reviewing this policy and we will have a result on that fairly shortly.

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