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

The tourism industry is the largest indigenous one on our island. However, it is not given the recognition that it deserves. I acknowledge the retention of the 9% VAT rate. My party supported that and I am glad that the Government retained it. It is part of the package, but an allocation of €2 million for the marketing budget to address the severe drop in UK visitor numbers does not cut the mustard. While the allocation of €33 million over five years is welcome, that is only €6 million per year in additional capital expenditure. Any county which any of us represents and any of our constituencies would spend that €6 million in a couple of months.

I welcome the fact that the Minister is coming around to the Lakelands brand and the €1 million that is being addressed to that. When will that brand be up and running? Will staff be assigned to the development and implementation of that brand? How will that €1 million be spent? Last year, Fáilte Ireland gave County Longford €2,000 towards marketing, the lowest for any county.

While it is doing great work, there are areas which need to be addressed.

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