Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael)

It is no secret that the tourism industry is one of our most valuable indigenous sectors. Over the decades, it has reached every corner of Ireland, providing jobs and opening our communities to the world, not just other parts of Ireland. It is no secret, however, that over the last number of years the sector has been struggling and has had challenges. It has faced these challenges remarkably well considering what we have been through - Brexit, Covid and the cost of living. However, these challenges persist. The barometer indicates that things so far in 2025 have been quite flat. The sector, which is eternally optimistic, predicts that things may not be as bad as it thought and we might just finish where we were in 2024.

Initiatives like the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East have provided incredible marketing. On trips abroad to New York and in Italy, I have seen the remarkable work of Fáilte Ireland in promoting Ireland and bringing tourists here. I also have to compliment the agency on the funding it gives local authorities through the regional development initiatives to harness and increase the shoulder season, which is now proving to be a lifeline for many businesses.

Let me go back to where the challenges are. Now more than ever, it is important to bring together the roles of enterprise and tourism. We know there are challenges around VAT and I believe we are going to address them. There are challenges around the cost of living and hopefully we will be able to support the businesses in their endeavours. It is not just about hotel beds or hospitality. It is about the person who offers a service such as kayaking, a visit or a little bit of agri-tourism. It affects thousands of other spin-off industries. There are also gaps in where this tourism is working and where it is not. In County Louth, perhaps because we have in the past attracted business more so than tourism, the local authority might not have seen tourism as a significant sector in which to invest. County Louth really is a hidden beauty in Ireland and is only 35 minutes from Dublin Airport. Too often, we see people getting into their rental cars at Dublin Airport and heading south, west or into the midlands, the Minister's area. We do not see enough of them heading towards the north east. I would like to see that addressed. We have many beautiful areas. Carlingford is starting to show itself not just to Ireland but overseas. We have Ardee, Clogherhead, and importantly the most historic town of Drogheda, with hundreds of years of historical value.

There are areas in Ireland that need specific attention and a specific strategy backed by Government in co-ordination with the local authorities and also private enterprise. I never believe that one person can do things alone. It is always a united front. Can we see specific strategies for those who are not yet up to speed?

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