Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Hearing the strength of feeling from Senator Ulick Burke, reminds us of the need to have Ministers attend the House. A great feature of our democracy is that Ministers can explain themselves to the House. The strength of feeling over the health service is such that the Tánaiste must attend the House and give an opportunity to Members to express those feelings expressed by Senator Ulick Burke. Last year the Hanly report was published with its proposals for the health service, yet it seems to have been sidelined. A debate on the health services is needed.

A debate on the tourism industry is also needed. While Senator O'Toole is parochial in referring to the north side and south side of Dublin city when commenting on the Administration, I will also admit to being parochial on the tourism issue. We have not heard the findings of a PWC report on tourism, commissioned by Fáilte Éireann. This would be an ideal topic on which the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism could attend the House. There is a rumour that the ability to take the steps taken in the 1960s to divide tourism on a regional basis may not be as strong now. The objective then was to ensure tourism was not integrated at the top. The PWC report suggests the opposite. Dublin Tourism is in danger of being sidetracked and integrated with another agency, yet Dublin city is the third most popular city tourism destination in Europe. We must ensure a debate on tourism is on a specific topic, not just covering a general area.