Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

It is a tax on tourism and I call for its removal. Will the Leader bring forward a debate on tourism so that we can discuss how we can highlight and heighten our tourism business and link with the Irish diaspora abroad in the lead-in to St. Patrick's Day, thus building up our tourism business on a number of fronts. We have the heritage, the physical features and the musical and cultural traditions to do so.

As I did not get an opportunity to do so yesterday, with the Cathaoirleach's permission I welcome Senator Dearey to the Seanad and I wish him well. His good wife Laura is a neighbour of mine from home and I know her family very well. In fact, her brother was in my class at school. That is bad news for my friend and colleague Senator Paul Coghlan.