Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Colleagues are undoubtedly aware that just yesterday the popular international travel guide, Lonely Planet, ranked Ireland in the world's top ten friendliest countries. The guide book has published a list of ten countries where a warm welcome is guaranteed. It highlights that Ireland's brand as a tourist destination remains strong internationally despite the economic downturn. As we approach St. Patrick's Day, Ireland is offered an unrivalled opportunity to highlight and promote ourselves internationally as a destination. I received criticism from certain quarters at a recent meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Sport, Tourism, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when I drew attention to the valuable role played by Ministers travelling abroad for St. Patrick's Day. In his contribution the Minister of State referred to having returned from such an exercise in Canada.