Tom Shehan (Fine Gael)

It would be a great achievement if we could introduce that model of having ambassadors on the ground selling this country and the positive things about it. I urge the Minister of State to push that approach if he can.

I am pleased about the assessment process for the tourism capital investment programme. A capital investment appraisal group has been set up. I am also pleased to see the checks and balances that have been put in place. The issue has been raised several times recently as to whether we got value for money. My colleague, Senator O'Sullivan, referred to white elephants that exist not only in Kerry but throughout the country that were developed under tourism capital investment projects. I welcome the appraisal group and the checks and balances that have been introduced between the group, the Department and Fáilte Ireland. Between financial evaluations, due diligence and legal requirements the assessment of projects is well covered.

I note that the capital investment programme includes beach management works. On his next trip to Kerry the Minister of State must come to Rossbeigh where 3 acres of sand dunes have been washed away. The community is not being allowed to reinstate them as it is being prevented from doing so by the local authority on the basis that nature is taking its course. If nature has its way then a mile and a half of sand dunes will disappear. I accept that ultimate responsibility probably lies with the Office of Public Works but the Minister of State must come and see what has happened given that capital investment programmes include beach management works.

Kerry has had a good year in tourism. There is no point in beating around the bush. One could never please some people in the tourism sector. We will take that with a pinch of salt. One area however that is letting us down is conferences. I spoke recently to the president of Killarney Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Randles, who is a hotelier. He said there is great potential for conferences in south Kerry especially and the south of Ireland, but the one big problem is access from Cork to Kerry. The N21, which has a bypass at Macroom, is a poor road. He said that they have collected people who plan conferences from Cork Airport and by the time they get to Macroom they have made up their minds that they will not go to Kerry for the conference. I encourage the Minister of State to do anything he can. The N21 artery into the county is blocking further potential growth in tourism. I commend the Minister of State.