Seanad debates
Tuesday, 18 February 2003
Rural Development Policy: Statements.
If we were to break down the figures for the numbers of visitors to Ireland, I guarantee that many of them travel to rural attractions, places they can see not just as a setting in their own right but in the context of their historical, architectural value also. If tourism can be boosted further, this is something that should be done. The idea of tourists being guided towards Dublin is not wise because Dublin is already over-congested with traffic as a result of which people are finding it difficult to get to work and their quality of life is being undermined. If we are to find an answer, let us do it under the title of "partnership" which should comprise rural communities, the Government, politicians, An Taisce, local councils and business people. It should not be a matter of criticising each other but of sitting down and working in a co-operative manner.
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