Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Griffin for his response and for setting out clearly the pressures the sector is under in his constituency and right across the south and west coasts. I fully understand the pressures and the acute nature of the problem. I am due to meet with the hospitality and tourist forum in May with the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. Obviously, the forum will discuss this issue. We will also frame a significant package for businesses in the days and weeks ahead that will try to assist them with the pressures the Deputy mentioned.

I know the issue of bed accommodation is acute in County Kerry. Looking at the statistics for Ukrainian citizens, approximately 45 a week are now exiting bed accommodation, with about 15 coming in. Nonetheless, we have other pressures such as international protection, on which we have to live up to our obligations as a State, and the pressure is acute in that regard.

We will work with the sector. Our economic brand is so important for tourism and it plays a big role for economic activity in regions such as the Deputy's.

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