Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, who is a man of immense talent. I wish him well in his ministry. I also thank the Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, for attending the earlier part of the debate and congratulate him on his appointment and excellent work as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Tourism is an extraordinary business which has major implications for this country. The industry generates approximately €4 billion in annual foreign earnings and €1.2 billion in domestic expenditure. Some 150,000 are employed directly in the industry and many more are associated with it. The industry makes an enormous contribution to the economy. We must ensure this is maintained and supported.

I thank the Minister for visiting the United States and putting the case to the Americans to return to Ireland. The year 2001 was difficult, especially for the people of the United States, including those in New York who suffered from the events of 11 September. No industry can take precedence over what happened and the only appropriate response is to express the deepest regret to those who suffered. The foot and mouth disease outbreak was a major setback in Ireland. The Minister, the former Minister of State, Deputy Davern, the IFA, farmers and others worked hard to ensure the outbreak in County Louth did not spread.

Developments in Northern Ireland have been most helpful. I thank Senator Mansergh for his extraordinary work on behalf of the people. It is a fitting tribute to him that he is now a Member of this House and can contribute in many ways to outstanding matters. It is very important to ensure the situation in the aftermath of the Good Friday Agreement does not deteriorate. Those of us who have travelled abroad on behalf of Ireland incorporate will be aware that people will not travel to troubled regions. For example, there has been a major reduction in the numbers of tourists visiting the Basque country in Spain.

There has been a period of tremendous peace in Northern Ireland – I have travelled there since the Agreement – and it is now a wonderful area for tourism. We must ensure a united approach north and south of the Border. In the past it was always a disadvantage to have two separate tourism organisations fighting over the one market. Now we are united in encouraging tourists.

The Nice treaty referendum gave Ireland tremendous coverage, especially when we voted "Yes" and a céad míle fáilte to the people in the applicant countries. It is important that they will be attracted to visiting Ireland on the basis that they have been wholeheartedly welcomed to join the European Union by the Irish people in the recent referendum, when they were given the opportunity to assess what was involved. Many applicant states do not have great tourism potential in terms of attracting visitors from Ireland, but many in those countries would like to visit Ireland and perhaps express their thanks to us for our contribution to them.