Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire. This debate is important and timely given that we are about to head into the peak summer season of Irish and international tourism. Senator Boyle spoke about the pillars of tourism. If we think about it, it is about bringing in people, encouraging them to stay, having an enjoyable experience and, hopefully, having people come back while, at the same time, giving them value for money.

I commend the Minister on the work that has been done. I note from his speech that we topped the Lonely Planet list as the world's friendliest destination. I wonder about that at times. In fairness to the people involved in the tourism industry at whatever level, they are committed to selling and promoting Ireland. Those of who us who have done the Seanad tour, having encountered every county in this country, know that one will see great local tourist attractions and the beauty of Ireland. We have stayed at many hotels and bed and breakfast establishments and appreciate and understand the importance of tourism in each area.

It is important we continue to market in a strategic manner. Senator Kelly rightly pointed out that there has been no increase in international revenue, which is a source of concern. We have seen a decade of growth. Senator Boyle referred to the fact that we are heading into a different economic period. The importance of the Irish welcome, the céad míle fáilte, should not be lost and hidden. I may be wrong and am open to correction but I do not share the view that the new migrant workers have added to the Irish experience in many cases. Sometimes I think we need to have a real cultural experience and inculcate in our new workers a sense of what it means to be Irish.

I am also concerned that we are pricing ourselves out of the market. An article in one of the Sunday newspapers addressed the different price structures of bed and breakfast establishments, evening meals, having a few pints and playing a round of golf in different countries. We were ranked way behind Thailand in terms of prices. We can blame outside market forces such as the pound versus the dollar, the slowing down of the economy or the costs of various things. However, we must put things in context. People now have only a small amount of resources that they use to go on holidays or short breaks. I would like to hear a definitive answer regarding the pricing of Ireland as a holiday destination.

We did not get value for money from our investment in the Ryder Cup, which was a wonderful occasion. This was perhaps partly due to the fact it was on pay per view television. I wonder why we did not get that. That was a wonderful event and I commend the Minister and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism on the role they played in the promotion of the Ryder Cup. Why did we not get value for money as a consequence of it?

The rally in Sligo should be used as a model and promoted throughout the rest of the country. The former circuit of Ireland car rally brought people to places all over Ireland. I remember as a young fellow heading to Killarney or parts of north Cork when Billy Coleman was there. I am sure Senator MacSharry will refer to it in his remarks. The importance of that rally and rallying should be a vehicle we can use again to promote Ireland.

Coming from Cork, I believe it is important we acknowledge the role of Cork and Kerry as probably being the tourism capital of the country. This has not come about by chance. Figures reveal that there were 2.4 million visitors to the region last year. The importance of Cork can be seen in the fact that the port of Cork and Cobh have embraced cruise liners with a new footfall of passengers to Cork city and beyond. However, it is important we map Cork and promote it as a tourism region because it is a festival city. There is, as Senator Boyle said, a substantial number of festivals and opportunities for people to come and visit Cork. I ask the Minister to promote Cork in that regard.

The tourism plans for the south west, which were announced recently by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation, speak about the importance of expanding air access to Cork and Kerry and maintaining sea access to Cork. If I can be a bit parochial, which I do not mind being, a commitment was given by the Minister to make Cork Airport debt free. His successor in the Department of Transport has reneged on that plan. We now have a situation where the airport in Cork is in a bit of a quandary. The airport is important to the region surrounding Cork and for the promotion of tourism. It is disappointing that Cork Airport has been left in the position it is in.

Equally, we now have a situation where there is no sea access given what has happened to the Cork-Swansea ferry. I would like to hear the Minister's response regarding the different negotiations between the stakeholders in respect of the Cork-Swansea ferry. We need to have sustainable growth in the south-west region of the country. To do that, we need to have a vibrant airport and successful sea access between there and Great Britain.

I know the city manager in Cork and commend him and Howard Holdings on their proposal for Cork docklands. Senator Ellis referred to the national conference centre. I want to see a convention centre in Cork. Cork has lost out to Dublin and Killarney in respect of the ability to hold conferences, including business conferences. In fairness to Cork City Council, it has a tourism bureau and a tourism element to its campaign. It has been built upon a very successful experience as European capital of culture. Liz Meaney is a very vibrant arts officer in Cork City Council who is always probing and producing new and innovative ideas such as the Bealtaine festival, which is happening throughout the country, the Cork Midsummer Festival, the Cork Folk Festival; and the very important jazz festival. I noticed that there is a new jazz festival in Ballydehob on the May bank holiday weekend, which adds a different string to the festivals in west Cork.

If we are serious about tourism, I ask the Minister to look at attracting young people to Ireland. Perhaps we could look at the concept of a Eurodisney, such as that which exists in France, or Alton Towers, which exists in England. I believe there is a market for that and we could include it as part of the new tourism strategy by directly involving more young people coming to Ireland by giving them a new experience in the guise of theme parks.