Tourism is becoming an increasingly vital industry in this country and it is only right that we should take this opportunity to discuss not only the success we have had in developing the industry to date, but also to examine how best to approach tourism policy in the future. To this end, the Minister and the officials in his Department, together with the various State bodies and agencies that operate in the tourism sector and the local tourism authorities, deserve a great deal of credit for the part they have played in creating the success the tourism industry has enjoyed. Without their hard work and intelligent use of resources, we would not have had the great growth in tourism numbers and revenue we have enjoyed in recent years.