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

The increase arises because the Minister failed to retain the favourable VAT rate for the hospitality sector. He blamed everybody else instead of taking responsibility for the failure. The additional €35 million is welcome but this year's budget of €135 is still far below the €153 million it was in 2008. There is a way to come. When the Minister considers how to spend the additional money, will he engage with the key stakeholders, including Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, the Irish Hotels Federation, Bed and Breakfast Ireland, as well as representatives of the museums and cultural institutions, to see where the money can be best spent? We need to increase our marketing budget in existing and emerging markets, and we must consider how we will tackle the shortages in key personnel that are having a major impact on our tourism industry. Before the Minister allocates this, it is critical that he engages with the key stakeholders: they know where additional money must be allocated and we will get a better return on the €35 million investment as a result.

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