Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for bringing this Bill to the Seanad. It is a legal document transferring the powers of CERT and Bord Fáilte. One problem I have is that the body is to be described as Fáilte Ireland, translated as Tourism Ireland. This does not sound very radical to me; rather it sounds like the debate on the shape of the shamrock on Aer Lingus planes. If the word "Bord" was removed, it might seem odd abroad. There are some pointers in the margin.

The Bill deals with the establishment of an authority of 12 members as well as a chairman. I agree with the idea of staggering membership with four members sitting for three years, four for four years and five for five years. I observe that the Minister recently appointed Mr. Páidí Ó Sé to the board of Bord Fáilte. I recommend that the Minister appoint Mr. Michael O'Leary, a constituency colleague of the Leader of the House and chief executive of Ryanair, to the new body. Mr. O'Leary has done more than anyone else to bring tourists into the country. Last week Mr. O'Leary wrote that it took between €300 and €500 for an air ticket to come into this country but less than €30 for a ticket to get out.

I recommend that the Minister break the Aer Rianta monopoly by separating Cork and Shannon airports and develop low cost hotels at Dublin Airport.