Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The first thing that I would say to Deputy Burton is that tourism has enormous potential. The Wild Atlantic Way is a concept that has caught on. The lakelands and the midlands districts are seeing a huge surge of interest from abroad, as is Ireland's Ancient East. The Norwegian decision to fly from Cork, Shannon, Belfast and Dublin will do for long haul what Ryanair did for short haul. I expect seriously increased numbers to come in. Clearly, Ireland is seen as a very attractive location from a hospitality point of view.

As the Deputy knows, on the broader scene we are making a joint bid for the rugby world cup for 2023. Advance preparation is very much in train there. The British Open will be coming here in 2019. The Irish Open will for one in three years go to Northern Ireland. The opportunities for the hospitality sector are very strong. It should be remembered that the Minister for Finance reduced the VAT rate during the Deputy's own time in Government, from 13.5% to 9%. That is oftentimes forgotten, but not only did it sustain the industry, it created between 35,000 and 50,000 new jobs.

Unemployment is at 6.4% today. This is almost full employment, as the Deputy recognises. That trend was in the downward direction when both she and Deputy Howlin were in the previous Government. I see Microsoft and Indeed here in Dublin, NGINX in Cork, Allergan in Westport, multiple announcements of jobs in the Limerick area, and the advance factories in Sligo, Athlone, Castlebar and Tralee being completed and seriously investigated in terms of employment opportunities.

These are opportunities here for foreign directive investment. That line of investment continues to be strong. When I was in the United States recently I came across many people interested in following through either on initial assessments or existing investments here. When I was in Davos earlier in the year with the Minister for Finance we met 20 chief executives, many of whom are looking seriously at Ireland in terms of investment. On the other hand, we have given Enterprise Ireland additional resources, staff and facilities to help small and medium enterprises to export. There were 100 trade missions abroad this year. We can sell far more in the eurozone, the Nordic countries and beyond. These are opportunities in respect of which we are working hard with the ministries for trade and diplomatic services. Everybody now has a role in selling the brand image of Ireland because of the integrity and quality of what we produce.

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