Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This week, Ministers are travelling the globe promoting Ireland and, in particular, promoting Irish tourism. I want to bring to the Tánaiste's attention a contradiction in that Dublin Port Company is developing a policy that will substantially reduce the number of cruise liners coming into the country. The cruise liner business is worth €50 million in revenue. It brings revenue to the retail and hospitality sectors, particularly in Dublin, Cork and Belfast. Other areas, such as Galway, are also anxious to develop it. If the capital is not on the itinerary these other locations will lose out significantly. Dublin Port has said it intends to reduce the number of ships allowed into Dublin from 160 this year to 80 in 2021. It is not good enough for the Government to say it is a matter for the port company. There has to be a cross-sectoral approach to policy for promoting tourism. We have Ministers all over the world asking people to come to Ireland but at the very same time a company of the State-----

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