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

My focus now is on examining whether there is a need for mitigation measures. At a senior officials group, my Department has communicated the potential challenges arising for the tourism ecosystem, particularly in the parts of the country where, as the Deputy pointed out, a high proportion of the tourism accommodation stock has been directed to humanitarian purposes.

This is the largest humanitarian effort in the State's history. We are giving refuge to those fleeing horrific circumstances, and that is the right thing to do, but speaking as the Minister with responsibility for tourism, I have concerns, which I have consistently stated in the Chamber and to my Cabinet colleagues, about the potential knock-on impacts on the wider tourism ecosystem. My officials and Fáilte Ireland have regular engagement with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and I have asked Fáilte Ireland to consider what potential mitigation measures might need to be examined.

See this speech in context