Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

This is the time of year when one tends to review the performance of the tourism industry in the past year and the prospects for the year to come. I would like a debate on the industry, if not immediately, then when we resume. It is one of those sectors where many doomsayers claimed we were in danger of losing competitiveness and market share. In fact, we are forging ahead and the Government is getting real value for the money it has invested — there is a 17% increase in the marketing fund for next year.

There is also an all-Ireland dimension to the issue. Tourism Ireland is an all-Ireland body and the Northern Ireland Tourism Board is also benefiting. Northern Ireland has had as many visitors this year as the Twenty-Six Counties had in 1986.

Given the day that is in it, I compliment "Morning Ireland" for re-running a substantial excerpt from Mr. Ray McSharry's budget speech, which showed how difficult things were 20 years ago, but which also set us on the path to where we are today, with the help of his successors.