Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

It is extraordinary that I seem to follow Senator Hannigan whenever his final remarks relate to the Irish Diaspora, an issue the two of us raised in the context of the total spend. I welcome his request in the matter. There is a need for openness and transparency. If there is to be such a debate, the House would benefit from knowing where taxpayers' money was spent. Some €14 million is spent worldwide to support the Irish Diaspora which I am sure the Senator actively supports.

The serious challenges faced by the tourism industry were reflected starkly in the debate in Galway in the past two days at the conference of the Irish Hotels Federation. It is more pressing than normal that the Leader consider arranging a debate on tourism. In the light of the fact that we are approaching St Patrick's Day and there is only one sitting week remaining, is it possible for the House to debate the realities and challenges facing the industry, the decline in tourist numbers and the serious and proactive involvement of Fáilte Ireland in attempting to increase the domestic market and Tourism Ireland in attempting to increase visitor numbers to the country? They will be successful in increasing visitor numbers as a result of the wonderful marketing campaign on which they are embarking as we approach St. Patrick's Day. It is primarily focused on our near neighbour and major market, Great Britain.

I welcome the Taoiseach's commitment yesterday in Galway, following his presentation at the tourism conference there, to the effect that the Government will proceed with the provision of free rail travel for old age pensioners throughout Europe. In other words, it is to extend to the rest of the European Union the rights and benefits old age pensioners currently enjoy in this country. Why stop at rail travel? I hope there will be an extension to bus travel. Where I live, in the north west, which relies heavily on tourism, especially County Donegal, there is no rail service, and so tourism there will not benefit from this important initiative, which I welcome strongly. In the context of the debate I ask that this should be an opportunity to tease out this and other issues.