Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Finucane in his call for a debate on Northern Ireland. The call was also aired briefly yesterday. As all speakers have indicated, it would be timely if the Leader could arrange it for next week. Despite the failure to sign off on an agreement yesterday, a great deal was achieved and everyone involved deserves our congratulations. It would be wonderful if we could hear more from the Taoiseach. There are wise heads in the House, including Senator Maurice Hayes whose comments we have been reading and who is very sound on this issue.

I record my agreement with what some would call the stern advice of the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy O'Donoghue, to the hotel industry to watch prices. As he said, the worsening price situation must not be ignored. He is rightly concerned about our traditional tourism markets in Britain, France and Germany. While price is not the only issue, as he said we ignore it at our peril. I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, to come before the House early in the new year for a debate on the immediate future of our tourism industry and the important issues surrounding it.