Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Tourism Ireland has been quite fast off the mark. It put up a video on social media maybe three months ago. It shows the actors being interviewed about the beauty of where they worked on location in Achill and Inis Mór. The Deputy can retweet that to his heart's content. It is very aware of the immense value that this will bring to attract international tourists and is capitalising on that. That is another great reason we have tourism, arts and culture in the same portfolio. I have always talked about the links there.

In regard to the large country houses, there may be one or two in Kildare north. I can talk with Deputy Durkan afterwards about the potential of that from a tourism point of view. In regard to the conferences, I am aware of that and engage with that specific area in the tourism industry. I expect it to have someone in attendance at the tourism and hospitality forum next week, which is being convened by myself and the Minister, Deputy Coveney. I know Tourism Ireland is aware of the potential there.

In regard to the concerns about the humanitarian response, it is, of course, the right thing for us to do. As a nation, we sought refuge for generations and we should never forget that. The Government has approved the construction of 700 rapid build homes with the potential to house up to 2,800 individuals in family units. The vacant homes initiative led by local authorities aims to provide 1,000 homes while refurbishments led by the Department of House, Local Government and Heritage will provide an estimated 3,000 beds. Under those measures between 6,000 and 7,000 beds or more will come on stream in the coming months to ease the pressure. Of course, I am aware of the concerns in the industry. In particular the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, ITIC, published reports recently and I have met with its representatives on foot of those reports. I will be engaging with the industry with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, at the tourism and hospitality forum next week.

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