Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for that kind invitation. I attended the Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford last year and it was fantastic. As the Ceann Comhairle will be aware, it was fantastic to see the town buzzing and to see so much activity and spin-off trading.

I thank Deputy Lawlor for raising this important issue. Since the Covid pandemic, tourism has shown its resilience time and again and it has played a significant part in our economic recovery. Last year was a strong one from a tourism perspective. More than 6.5 million overseas visitors came to our shores and, in terms of tourism sentiment, it is encouraging to note that the strategic research and insight findings from Fáilte Ireland's tourism barometer earlier this year showed that 39% of businesses expected their visitor levels to be up this year. Overseas visitors underpin the positive expectations, with 47% of businesses expecting an increase from that market. While CSO figures for the first two months were disappointing, like the Deputy, I look forward to being updated on the engagement between the CSO, the tourism industry and the tourism agencies to further examine this data and the context to give us more insights into it.

There are real grounds for optimism in the months ahead. In this regard, intensive marketing campaigns are underway in all our main overseas markets to ensure growth returns while Fáilte Ireland continues its domestic activity. As we approach peak tourism season, the tourism agencies are continuing to work hard with all their partners, including air and sea carriers, to ensure Ireland is seen as a must-visit destination. From a Government perspective, what we discussed earlier around the cap is important and it is also important to see those new routes coming onstream. I take the Deputy's feedback about Savannah and that is perhaps something we should look at. The programme for Government comprehensively sets out the Government's ambitious plans to strengthen and enhance the tourism sector, and I look forward to working with the Deputy on that.

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