Michael Brennan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State and also the report before us. It clearly identifies a co-ordinated approach by all stakeholders. It outlines an ambitious programme for the next ten years with the number of tourists expected to increase from 6 million to 10 million, resulting in an expenditure in investment of €6 million. That will bring many challenges.

It has been mentioned by speakers that the value for money criterion is important. I congratulate those involved in the tourism industry, especially those targeting different markets and operating under different circumstances, who have tried to give value for money over the past 12 months. It is essential that effort should be continued into the future.

Many references were made to the Irish welcome, which is not something that should be taken for granted. It is great when information is given to tourists locally, which causes them to visit tourism spots they may not have visited had they not heard about them by word of mouth.