Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I say this in all sincerity because it is a matter about which I am very passionate. The number of people who saw the area around Lough Derg during Covid was fantastic. The hotel in Athenry burned down. We have one hotel in Nenagh and one in Ballina. As for trying to provide accommodation, it is virtually impossible because no one can get planning. We have fantastic natural attractions. We have fantastic activities involving the lake, walking, cycling and adventure sports and everything else. We have brilliant events but, unfortunately, there is nowhere to stay.

I come from Portroe. Garrykennedy is fantastic. It was voted one of the top ten most charming villages in Ireland according to The Nenagh Guardian. I was there at the weekend. People come all year round and stay in camper vans as there is little, if any, accommodation. There are a couple of Airbnbs. We must have a process for tourism areas, particularly dealing with the hole in the doughnut syndrome of middle Ireland where there is good value and where there are great activities, attractions and events to which people can get to quickly thanks to the motorways, but where there is not enough accommodation, unfortunately. Across government, working with the Department with responsibility for planning and local government, we need to find a way to develop more accommodation quickly.

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