Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response and I acknowledge the support package. However, this is a short-term measure. We need long-term vision and supports and a way of dealing with the fact that so many contracts that have been signed by Government have made it impossible for hotels. The support package will help them to keep their doors open and that is about it in the short term but what about the long term? As the Minister mentioned, we need a specific tourism support scheme but that has to be a long-term initiative. I understand that last month ITIC launched its strategic vision for the sector to 2030, which suggests that tourism revenue has the potential to increase by 50% over the coming years. That is only if Government takes a grip of the reins and promotes pro-tourism and pro-enterprise policies and has a vision. The Government needs to have a vision because it is one thing giving these businesses money and support packages to keep their doors open in the short term but it needs to think long term. For every €1 spent by tourists, 23 cent is generated in VAT. Tourism is vital to our national and local economy and we need to see Government come in with more pro-business and pro-tourism vision and with more of those policies.

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