Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

Our hotels have improved their competitiveness vis-À-vis bed and breakfast accommodation. Ten or 15 years ago, hotel accommodation cost much more in real terms than it does today. Unfortunately, that has tended to squeeze out bed and breakfasts. As Senator O'Toole pointed out, a 100 mile or 200 mile journey by rail is much cheaper in Ireland than it is in Britain. We should not paint a completely negative picture. However, there are some negative aspects. Car hire in this country is quite expensive. I recently had direct experience of this in Killarney.

I have spent a holiday here for at least one week for 40 or 50 years and I urge everyone to spend at least part of their holidays at home. There are fantastic places throughout the country, which could renew one in all sorts of ways. We have the cleanest waters in western Europe. They may not be as warm as the Mediterranean but they are cleaner. A good swim in July, August or September is a grand experience. It might even help to alleviate the obesity problem a little.