Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy raises an important issue. Cruise tourism is growing all the time and can be very valuable to the local economy, whether in Dublin or in Kerry. I know that cruise ships even go into Foynes and from there to Kerry. We want to support it but since it is a commercial enterprise, we cannot subsidise it or provide grant aid. Any proposition has to be commercial. With regard to Dublin, the restrictions will mean that for a number of years, only 80 cruise ships will be able to dock at Dublin Port, so they will have to go elsewhere. I know that other options are under consideration. An obvious one is Dún Laoghaire, which is not that far away.

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