John Ellis (Fianna Fail)

I will not dispute what is the capital of Irish tourism, where all the leprechauns reside or anything of that nature. Everybody accepts that Killarney, as a regional centre, has tremendous facilities. However, the facilities in other centres are equally good but these places are not as well marketed or do not receive the same exposure as Killarney. Some of the promoters and venue owners in Killarney do tremendous work in the context of attracting tourists to visit the town and attend various shows and gigs. This is what tourism is all about.

There were a number of excellent tourism attractions on offer in Dublin during the past three months. For example, the international matches involving the Irish rugby team provide the tourism and hospitality industries with tremendous opportunities. In addition, between 10% and 20% of those who attend high-profile concerts in Dublin come from outside the capital. People tend to forget that many of the venues in this country that were developed with the assistance of tax breaks etc. will make a far larger contribution in the long term than will other projects that are still in receipt of major grant aid. We pay for industrial jobs but we do not make a similar contribution when it comes to jobs in the hospitality sector.

There is a need to continue to pump money into the area of marketing. In the future, marketing will be more important than any other factor when it comes to the tourism industry. It all revolves around how one sells the package, regardless of whether one is offering a three, five or seven-day break. There is a need for co-ordination among hotels, guesthouse owners and others in the industry. The bed and breakfast sector met its demise because hotel beds have become so much cheaper than was the case 20 or 25 years ago as a result of the investment made in the hotel industry. It is sad that this has happened. People who use bed and breakfast establishments are usually keen to maintain their privacy and experience a little of Irish life. These individuals will continue to use such establishments.

Everyone is aware of the difficulties that arose on foot of the rates of pay that had to be applied in hotels, bars and restaurants on Sundays. This matter has been tackled by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Mary Coughlan, and the Minister of State at that Department, Deputy Kelleher. Rural establishments were placed at a serious disadvantage compared to their counterparts in Dublin, when they were obliged to offer staff the rates of pay to which I refer to their employees.

Golfing and spa resorts have become big business. I compliment those who included first-class golf courses as part of their hotel developments. Some of these courses are of the highest standard. While the weather in Ireland is not always ideal and has a particular bearing on golf and other outdoor activities, we must do whatever is necessary to provide all-weather facilities in hotels, be they spa facilities designed to keep wives happy or indoor sports facilities.

As the Minister stated, it is hoped that the national conference centre will be open in 2010. If it is marketed properly, this centre will make a massive contribution in the context of filling hotel beds in this city and in places situated within a 50-mile radius of it. As everyone knows, it is extremely tiring to be obliged to spend an hour travelling from one's hotel to the venue at which the conference one is attending is being held. The new national conference centre will provide us with an advantage in this regard.

Certain parts of the tourism industry have been left behind. The coarse angling sector has been allowed to deteriorate. Questions must be answered in respect of how this sector has been promoted and with regard to how fish stocks in certain lakes and rivers have been protected.

We could discuss the challenges facing the tourism and hospitality sector at length. Another part of the industry that is beginning to expand is that which relates to green tourism. Eco-friendly tourism is a growth industry. A hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon in my constituency was recently presented with a European award in respect of the progress it has made in the area of energy saving. I never expected a hotel in a rural area to receive such an award and the establishment to which I refer is the first of its kind in the country to do so. The owners of the hotel decided to go the eco-friendly route in promoting their establishment and the facilities on offer there.

I wish the Minister well. He will have the full support of all Members with regard to the action he will be obliged to take to market this country as a tourism destination. As stated, the media has a duty to ensure that those promoting Ireland are not hindered and that aspersions are not cast upon their activities.