Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

It is very difficult to follow that. In the week in which the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism travels to America to try to improve Ireland's competitiveness – I am sure all sides of the House wish him well in that regard – will the Leader reflect on reports in the national media this morning relating to a submission from RTE to the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, seeking a special licence fee which would apply to bed and breakfast establishments and hotels, apart from a range of other establishments? I raise this matter because it is part of the wider issue of Ireland's competitiveness. Perhaps the Leader will consider having a debate on Ireland's competitiveness in the new session in the autumn and on the international image of Ireland which could be even further eroded as a result of submissions such as this one.

I understand RTE is doing this because it is looking for more money. I declare an interest as my mother has a bed and breakfast establishment and the suggestion is that an extra licence would be necessary if there are two televisions in the rooms. Anyone who has stayed in hotels will realise there are already serious costs associated with tuning in to a television in a hotel room. The free to air channels are available but if someone wants to watch any of the movies, it is very expensive. It is like making telephone calls from hotel rooms.

I suggest the Minister should push this issue further down his priority list and that the Leader should consider having a debate on the competitive nature of Irish society. It seems to me that there are elements in Irish society that are living in a parallel world. They are not living in the real world. If we lose our competitiveness there will be serious economic repercussions that will damage the international image of Ireland. I hope the Leader will give this some consideration. It does not just cover one Department but several.