Seanad debates

Wednesday, 30 November 2011

National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage

 

12:00 pm

Photo of Ned O'SullivanNed O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail)

That is right.

I will not repeat the Minister's figures, but the overseas spend is €3.4 billion, while the domestic spend is €1.3 billion. Unlike other industries which tend to be Dublin centred, tourism is spread throughout the regions. Remote areas such as those from which the Minister of State and I come can hold their own. The overall comparison between the regions and Dublin favours the regions, which is no harm. Dublin is a thriving tourism destination. The same is true of other urban centres such as Galway and Kilkenny.

Apart from mainstream employment, tourism provides many opportunities to engage in part-time employment which helps students to get through college and provides housewives with casual work. A thriving industry also engenders a great spirit of community. The Minister of State referred to the Tidy Towns competition, for which towns make an extra effort. It engenders a welcoming spirit in a community, a very important element.

I trawled through the Dáil debate on the Bill which stretched to 50 full pages and every Deputy who spoke seemed to have a wish list for the Minister of State. I do not think we will hold him as long in the Seanad. However, being from County Kerry, I must mention one or two items, on which I am sure my colleague, Senator Tom Sheahan, will agree with me. Kerry is the premier tourism destination. However, we are concerned about inward access. I mentioned the following matter to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, when he came to the House for a different debate. Kerry Airport provides an essential lifeline for tourism in the south-west region. What would be equally important, if we could get it working, is the Cork to Swansea ferry which is in dry dock until next April. I hope it will be able to ply for trade in the months from April to September. However, it will need hands-on assistance from the Department. I understand competition issues arise, but there must be a way around these in order that the Government can become involved in an essential service which underpins much tourism activity in the region.

People in County Kerry have a confidence which comes from experience. Not all, but 99% of tourism events and products in the county give back more than they receive and it is well worth investing in them. They include events such as Listowel Writers' Week which is not as big as the Rose of Tralee Festival, but it draws many people in a niche market to the county and the country. We also have St. John's Art Centre and the Seanchaí Centre. Some were driven by the Minister of State's colleague, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, when he was a backbencher and they are all very successful. There is no fear of the Department not receiving value for money if it was to invest in Kerry tourism products. There are a couple of white elephants in the county which are probably symptomatic of the madness of the Celtic tiger years when we threw money at products which one could have seen at the time would never be feasible in the long run.

In stating my support for the Bill and extra investment, I urge the Minister of State to be careful and investigate rigorously each application received to ensure a product is viable and to know the management structures and business plans of those behind it. The Department should examine successful centres such as the Book of Kells centre, Brú Ború in which my colleague, Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, is involved, Killarney House and Muckross House, in which Senator Paul Coghlan is involved. These are all good templates. However, for every good application there might another which does not stand up to scrutiny.

This is a good time to pursue capital projects because construction costs are much lower than they were and, God knows, labour is easy enough to find. I regret the fact that the Government has cut the capital budget by €750 million at a time when it will not help the Minister of State in his work and could cost up to 9,000 jobs. The previous Government was prepared to make a cut of only of 50% of this amount. At the time it was considered to be swingeing and I wonder whether we have gone too far now. I hope not.

The question is often asked: why would people come to Ireland? Clearly, it is not for the weather. They come here because of our people, attitude and friendliness. It can be disconcerting at times for people to go into hotels, restaurants and bars and be served by foreign nationals, but the essential welcome of the Irish is still on offer in management and comes across in the spirit and ethos.

Getting value for money is very important. Recently, I read that bed night costs in Dublin hotels had decreased by 10% in the past 12 months and this is great. However, it is appalling that when a rock star such as Bruce Springsteen comes to town or a major match takes place, the cost of bed and breakfast accommodation increases from €65 to more than €200. There is absolutely no justification for this.

There will be certain opportunities which I know the Minister of State will grasp. The lead-up to the 1916 Rising commemoration has huge tourism potential. Obviously, we will commemorate these important events with the solemnity and dignity they deserve, but we can lighten up a little. In the United States Independence Day is celebrated on 4 July and it is a fun day. We could turn commemorations into an opportunity to welcome home the Diaspora. We must get the balance right between showing respect and making a holiday of the occasion.

I am disappointed by the resignation of Mr. Hickey from the group established to find a spin-off for Ireland from the London Olympics. Will the Minister of State comment on this because the commentary so far in the media has been negative. What is going on? Surely there is huge potential. The individual in question has been around for a long time and speaks his mind. Senator Eamonn Coghlan referred to the matter on the Order Business.

I welcome the Bill and commend the Minister of State for his efforts.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.