Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State to the Seanad. I also take the opportunity to welcome the Egyptian Minister for Health and his party to the House. It is appropriate that they are here today for this debate on tourism. I hope they enjoy their visit to Ireland.

Our tourism industry is suffering because of a number of events which occurred in the past 12 months. The foot and mouth disease crisis and 11 September have had a knock-on effect on tourism, which is hugely important for this country. It generates €4 billion in foreign revenue and supports 150,000 jobs. It is vitally important that we do everything possible to support it. Although the industry is suffering currently, initiatives can be taken which would support it.