Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

Tourism has been one of the great success stories of the past 15 years. In 1986 there were 2 million visitors to the country. Today there are about 6 million annually. Tourism is a key industry for all developed countries, whether large or small. Reference has been made to the importance of home holidays. French people or Americans, who come from much larger countries than Ireland, spend a lot of time at home, but so do Scottish people who have a land area roughly the same as ours. If one has an attractive and fascinating country, at least some of one's holiday should be spent at home, particularly in the summer months when the country is at its most attractive and when some alternative destinations are very hot and crowded.

The tourism industry suffered two blows in 2001, first the foot and mouth outbreak and then the events of 11 September. I am glad to see there are signs of recovery.

Access is absolutely vital. There are two things in particular worthy of mention in this regard. The operations of Ryanair in the past 15 years have made an enormous contribution to extra numbers coming into the country. Also, important emphasis is being placed on the transatlantic link. I travelled from Shannon a couple of times in the past few weeks and the aircraft were full. I am glad to see that the Baltimore route will be reinstated and that Air Canada, after a stand-off of many years, is starting up here. There is a broader range of European destinations. I hope it will be possible in the long term to have links as far afield as Japan and Australia.