Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With Brexit talks in their current state, a number of business sectors across my constituency of Longford-Westmeath have been in contact with me. I wish to raise one particular sector, which is the tourism sector, and its vulnerability to a no-deal Brexit or a bad-deal Brexit and its fears of being plunged into what would be essentially an economic abyss. One individual described it to me as a perfect storm that they are not entirely convinced that they can face or survive. What plans has the Department put in place in conjunction with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to ensure that this sector and those sectors indirectly associated it will be insulated in the event of a bad Brexit or a no-deal Brexit?

Britain accounted for almost a third of holidaymakers on the island of Ireland in 2018 and of all our markets, they are the ones that are most likely to holiday in off-peak months. It is clear that they do not mind our climate. It is something they are very familiar with and something that draws them here. However, they are also active visitors and that is why Longford-Westmeath is in such a predicament. They are culturally curious. They explore our historical sites and they engage with multiple activities while they are here. In the midlands in 2017, some 2,018 tourists spent €85 million, 93,000 holidaymakers spent €27 million, and 15,000 trips from the North equated to €4 million in spending. This is a huge market in the midlands.

Tourism operators tell me that initially when they encouraged tourists to go to the midlands, they were more inclined to go to Galway, Cork or Dublin but when they bring tourists to Longford-Westmeath they are smitten. They fall under the charm of an area that is absolutely unique and offers a great variety of heritage, activities, history and culture. Whether it is the stunning beauty of the Shannon, equestrian events or water sports, they discover that the centre of this country is a precious gem. The majority of these British tourists come back time and time again and they bring their friends and families.

Despite the good efforts and the work that has been done in promoting tourism in my area it is in a very precarious position. It has enormous potential to continue expanding as a destination in its own right but a bad Brexit or a no-deal Brexit would profoundly impact tourism growth across Longford-Westmeath. In addition, there are the jobs that go with that and the add-on economics that come into our little towns and villages. We need policies that will mitigate the adverse consequences of our largest tourism market leaving the EU. Have the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport been in contact with our colleagues in Stormont to ensure that these priorities and others that have been put forward are discussed and that a united position is proposed that enables the entire tourism sector on this island to have the best chance to thrive and to remain profitable for the foreseeable future?

This vital sector has expressed to me its opinion that tourism is not being treated with the same urgency and importance as other sectors of the economy. It says the Government and State agencies responsible for the development of the agrifood sector and manufacturing have produced programmes and business supports that have made additional funding available to mitigate the challenges that they face, yet tourism appears to have been left behind in terms of strategic and practical support frameworks. Will the Minister of State indicate the overarching tourism support policy aimed at dealing with the consequences of Brexit, to equip those in the tourism sector to meet and be prepared for the challenges that they will most certainly face?

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