Dan Boyle (Green Party)

I welcome the Minister for this debate on the challenges facing the tourism sector which needs to be tinged with realism. I do not doubt that there is significant potential for the sector to contribute to future economic recovery. We need to identify the impediments and barriers hindering the development of a more successful tourism product in this country. I suggest a number of categories can be highlighted in that context. I refer, first, to difficulties in our transport infrastructure that make it difficult for people to travel to, from and around the country, and, second, to market difficulties.

The current global economic climate seems to be affecting Ireland's traditional tourism markets - the United Kingdom and the United States - more than others. We need to examine the potential for growth in our internal market and encourage more Irish people to vacation in Ireland. I acknowledge the work that is being done to highlight the merits of travelling around Ireland and visiting various parts of the country for a week or weekend. We also need to encourage people from other countries to come here in greater numbers. I am aware that the new strategy points in that direction.

I will also focus on the infrastructure that facilitates people in getting in and out of the country. The traditional State airline carrier, Aer Lingus, is now, more or less, on its own as it competes in the international market. The former State ferry companies have also gone by the wind. It is anticipated that the private sector will meet the gaps in the market. We have had to depend on a co-operative organisation to restore the ferry link between Swansea and Cork. That service gives tourists another means of getting in and out of the country and availing of tourism opportunities in west Cork and County Kerry not covered by the more traditional transport links in and out of Ireland.

Difficulties continue to be associated with transport within Ireland. Many areas showing tourism growth involve activities such as walking and cycling. Those who take such holidays often prefer not to depend on cars. That is why the public transport system needs to be at the heart of our tourism strategy. It is regrettable that Irish Rail decided to discontinue its services on the railway line between Rosslare and Waterford. I am aware that the decision taken by the National Transport Authority allows for a new operator to offer services on the line. If a new company were to use disused railway lines in such a manner, not only would it revolutionise public transport services in this country, it would also offer enormous potential for tourism. The management of the Rosslare to Waterford line by Irish Rail was something of a disaster. A number of transport companies bring boats in and out of the ferry port at Rosslare. There was no link between the scheduling of the train service and the arrival of the ferries. That would not have been allowed to happen if we had had a transport strategy linked to a wider tourism strategy. That it did happen contributed to bringing to an end services on that railway line. It does not mean the service is not viable or cannot be run properly. It is still not too late to avail of the tourism opportunities associated with the line.

It is important that we adjust our public transport strategy to move from a radial transport system, with spokes extending from Dublin to various parts of the country, to a more integrated network that people could use to travel throughout the country. One should be able to travel by train down the east coast, across the south coast, up the western corridor and, ultimately, into Northern Ireland. That would open tourism opportunities in the regions.

We need more medium-term strategies that link with major events such as the 2012 Olympic Games in London. When Derry celebrates its year as the UK city of culture, we should provide for a wider programme of activities in Border counties such as Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim. I hope that opportunity will be taken. Cork's stint as European capital of culture in 2005 has had massive tourism implications for the city. We need to build on the positive rating given to Cork in a recent Lonely Planet guide - it was mentioned as one of the best cities in the world to visit - for example, by developing appropriate infrastructure. If the private sector does not provide the transport links needed, perhaps the State should get involved, for example, by offering incentives. If an alternative company reopens the rail service between Rosslare and Waterford, I hope it will inspire us to reconsider how we promote tourism throughout the country as a whole. This is a time when many of the debates we are having, particularly in the economic sphere, involve the tackling of sacred cows. If we are prepared to do tackle the sacred cow I have mentioned in the transport sector, it could have huge benefits for the country.

The tourism sector did not benefit appropriately at the height of the Celtic tiger because just as many were leaving the country on holiday as were coming here for tourism purposes. If we are to enjoy the economic benefits of tourism in years to come, we will have to make sure more people will stay here for their vacation. The numbers who come here on holiday should be bigger than the numbers leaving. I hope we will not see the day when people define their wealth by taking two, three or four foreign holidays per year. This country has much to offer in terms of culture, scenic beauty and how its people promote their enjoyment of life and welcome visitors. If all those ends are tied up and if we work around the edges in terms of the ongoing difficulties, I am confident tourism will play that role.

Much has been said about the difficulties in the hotel sector, in particular with many of the properties being wrapped up in the NAMA process. That is both a good and a bad thing. The good thing is that we are becoming more competitive and bed nights and eating out are less expensive than they used to be. The bad thing is that we are not very good at linking the cultural aspects with where people stay and eat when they come here. For instance, there are very few combined packages for those visiting many of our major centres, such as Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford, where part of the experience should include a visit to the theatre, museums or galleries. In other countries, local authorities, regional authorities and national tourism departments are good a promoting the idea of all-in packages whereby people experience as much as they can in an area within a particular time. We do not see enough of that in this country.

I can think of one example. I attended a friend's wedding in Bordeaux, although I do not know why it was not in Ireland. In the middle of town, the municipal authority provides a place in which it provides the local produce without taxation. We produce food and drink which might benefit from being exposed in similar ways to people who visit our country.

We talk about the barriers and impediments to a good tourism product, I reiterate that the potential exists. Our economic development depends on using our tourism asset to the best advantage we can.