Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's updates in the House and her ongoing efforts in the recovery of our tourism, with the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, updating us on the aviation sector. Having listened to the contributions of Deputies all over the country, I echo the importance of tourism to the real economy and the constituency I represent.

I wish to highlight the continued need to ensure that every effort is undertaken to support our regional airports, including Ireland West Airport Knock, which acts as an increasingly important gateway for the western and north-western region. I have noted in the revised national development plan that the Government is committed to continued Exchequer support and grant aid for smaller regional airports through the regional airports programme, and that is most welcome. Ireland West Airport Knock is an important part of this, along with other airports along the western seaboard. It is worth mentioning that the NDP also highlights that one major project that is committed to at Ireland West Airport Knock is the upgrade of significant apron safety enhancement, which will greatly enhance operations at the airport. I know that the capacity of aprons has been a long-standing issue at Ireland West Airport Knock. I hope this commitment also includes increased capacity to boost the number of aeroplanes that may park at any one time at the airport.

As other Deputies mentioned, our hotel sector also requires additional supports to maximise the recovery under way in our tourism sector. An estimated 5,800 livelihoods are supported by tourism in Mayo. I engaged this week with a number of people in the hotelier community on the ground. This sector contributes over €208 million to the local economy, and there is a need to ensure that the upcoming budget 2022 supports the sector at a level not seen previously. Simple measures will make a real and lasting difference. Some of these measures, as mentioned previously, are the extension of the EWSS, the retention of the 9% VAT rate until 2025, an extension of the commercial rates waiver until June 2022 and a doubling of the funding of international marketing. This would go a long way in restoring air connectivity to 2019 levels.

One final point relates to the strengthening of Ireland's inbound tour operators and coach tourism sector. This sector will also play a key role in recovering Ireland's aviation and transportation visitors beyond our gateway cities.

There is much to be done, but it remains that those working within our tourism sector are eager to step up to the plate. Every assistance that can be provided to our tourism sector would go a long way in boosting the real economy in our towns and villages across the country.

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