Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this Bill, which is about increasing capital investment in our tourism sector from €300 million to €500 million. This is on top of the investment this Government has made over the last three years to support the tourism sector to survive during the pandemic. The last three years have not been good for the industry, even if we have achieved a significant recovery in recent months. Maybe we can learn a few things from these difficult times. The collapse of air travel in this period should allow us to drive growth in our regional airports, particularly Shannon Airport, and to drive growth in the regions. We should never again allow one airport to dominate all of our airline traffic. There is a clear need to amend national aviation policy to provide for growth in airports outside Dublin. I am pleased that Shannon Airport has developed new routes to Europe, mainly operated by Ryanair. It now has greater connectivity to the USA, including a new United Airlines route to Chicago, which was announced last week.

We also saw the growth of domestic tourism in this period. Irish people discovered beautiful places in Ireland that they never knew existed. We should make strategic investments in growing this market. Tourism is a vital industry for all of Ireland. It benefits every part of the island and supports the employment of 10% of our working population. Fine Gael has supported this industry over the last ten years in government. This has been reflected in the increasing numbers employed in the sector and the visitors coming to our shores. There is no doubt that the tourism market is changing. We must adapt our strategy to reflect this. I am proud that we are investing another €200 million in the opening of new markets and creating new opportunities in this sector. This is a result of good planning and research to secure further growth in our tourism sector.

Investments into the Wild Atlantic Way and, as Deputy Kelly mentioned, Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, in areas like the Shannon Estuary Way and events like the Gathering, have caused a huge increase in the number of visitors coming to stay in Ireland. I strongly support Deputy Kelly in asking for recognition of that Hidden Heartlands brand for Lough Derg and the implementation of the Lough Derg strategy. It is vital for that region. I strongly support Clare County Council's application to the rural regeneration and development fund regarding Holy Island.

I look forward to that receiving funding in the coming weeks.

We also need to examine further schemes such as the Wild Atlantic Way to attract even more visitors to Ireland. There are obvious areas such as outdoor pursuits and travelling along our greenways in which this Government is investing. We should also invest in sports tourism to host international golf events, for example. I met the Minister at Dromoland Castle at a wonderful golf event. I am delighted to have worked closely with the director of golf at Dromoland Castle, Eamonn O’Donnell in the early stages of this project. I was approached by the then captain of the golf club in Dromoland, John Casey. I worked with Mark Nolan, the then CEO of Sport Ireland, John Treacy and Mark Kennelly of Golf Ireland. It was a fantastic event. It shows what can be done. I look forward to the event taking place there again next year. We had a good, international winner, the Czech Republic star, Klara Spilkova. Unfortunately, Leona Maguire came up short but, please God, she will make amends next year.

Another scheme that might bring rich rewards would be to encourage all those from other countries working in numerous multinational companies based in Ireland to reach out to their fellow employees, friends and relatives visit Ireland. Something like that was done for The Gathering and the Minister might keep it in mind. Along with these events the Government is also encouraging growth in the night-time economy. I welcome the launch of the pilot basic income scheme for artists in this regard. Many people have contacted me who were not included in the scheme. Some 8,206 people applied and only 2,000 were accepted on the scheme. I appeal to the Government to consider expanding that scheme.

Along with major attractions in County Clare such as the Cliffs of Moher, I wish to refer to the Shannon Heritage sites of Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen Castle and Knappogue Castle. The Minister will be aware that these sites are currently being transferred to Clare County Council. An interdepartmental working group has been set up that includes officials from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The ask of the council is that €15 million will be made available to the group over the coming three years at €5 million a year for operational and capital investment. I ask the Minister to become involved in that to ensure that happens. There is unwelcome uncertainty around this because Bunratty, Craggaunowen and Knappogue castles are iconic tourist attractions. They act as magnets to bring tourists into the county. We need to nail down where they are going to sit. Clare County Council put up its hand. It will do a good job but it needs assistance. It made a great job of the Cliffs of Moher. I encourage the Minister to make sure that transfer happens at the earliest opportunity.

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