Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

-----perhaps even more so because it impacts on every town and village. However, I take Senator Cannon to task to some degree in that we now have an innovative and creative Minister in that portfolio, as evidenced by the numbers putting together plans to encourage more people to visit the country While I appreciate what the Senator said about the figures for the numbers who come here from England, the reality is that we are suffering from an economic downturn internationally, as a result of which people are not travelling to the same extent.

I share the Senator's views on Mr. Michael O'Leary. As I have often said in the House, I have tremendous admiration for Mr. O'Leary and Ryanair for what they have done, which we should not forget. However, the reality is that he has now taken it upon himself to continually attack the Government on the issue of the airport tax, as has Aer Lingus to a lesser degree. I share the Senator's view that Mr. O'Leary should either put up or shut up, as he has stated publicly he would bring over 600,000 people into the country over a number of years if the travel tax was abolished. I do not believe this is about the travel tax and agree with what the Senator said. The Government and the civil servants in the Department, while they might be losing €70 million or €80 million in these troubled times, should think about the potential financial gain to the Exchequer and the wider community. I ask the Leader of the House to give serious consideration to arranging a debate in Private Members' time in the immediate future to allow the Minister to give us an insight into her plans. I do not want to reveal too much, but there are wonderful plans to bring more people into the country in the next 12 to 18 months. I would be grateful if the Leader considered my request.