Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I join other speakers in welcoming the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, who is a man of action. There is no better man to get the tourism business moving.

It is significant to see the Government is preparing for further investment in the tourism product. We all welcome the significant increase in the numbers visiting the country this year, but we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. As Senator Feargal Quinn said, it is all about attracting repeat business. We all want to make sure those who visit Ireland have a good experience and come back. I hope the Government will consider extending the VAT reduction beyond 2013, as it is having a significant impact. In the majority of cases, hotels and restaurants are passing on the reduction to the customer. The reduction in employer's PRSI has also resulted in a significant increase in visitor numbers.

Everyone mentions his or her own region. I agree with what Senator Labhras Ó Murchú said about tourism numbers in Dublin. We need to see that business spread to the regions. In my own county of Galway, one of the most beautiful in the country, Galway city and Connemara do very well. However, while parts of east Galway which I represent have wonderful attractions, we do not seem to be on Fáilte Ireland's radar to the same extent as other parts of the county or country. In Ballinasloe we have a find marina in which the State invested significantly some years ago. Ballinasloe is on the River Suck which runs into the River Shannon. One can travel up the River Shannon through Shannonbridge to Ballinasloe. However, we have a little problem and I hope the Minister of State will be able to help us. There is a Bord na Móna bridge between Shannonbridge and Ballinasloe which, when water levels are high, prevents cruisers of a certain size coming up the river to Ballinasloe. We need the Minister of State's help to get a number of organisations, including Fáilte Ireland, Bord na Móna and Waterways Ireland, together. We also need some money. A solution to the problem, without having to dismantle the bridge, has been found, but it will cost a significant amount of money. We need the Minister of State's help to resolve that issue in order that we can increase the number of tourists coming to east Galway, particularly Ballinasloe in which we also have fine conference centres. If other parts of the country are not suitable for the holding of conferences, we have a fine new hotel in Ballinasloe that would be capable of handling large conferences.

I salute the efforts of Tidy Towns organisations throughout the country, which help to make our countryside more beautiful. However, these voluntary organisations and local authorities are stretched and could do with assistance. I appeal to the Minister of State to talk to his Cabinet colleagues about increasing the numbers on the various schemes so that in the peak summer months people will be available to help with village enhancement, signage improvements, tidying and improving infrastructure for tourists. There are innovative ways to do this without imposing additional costs on the State because many of these people would love to contribute if they got the opportunity.

The 100th anniversary of significant historic events will take place in Ireland over the next decade. I am sure the Minister of State is making plans to maximise tourist numbers in association with those events. Hopefully, when we get tourists into Dublin to celebrate, we will activate plans to scatter those visitors to the regions and capitalise on the huge opportunities to increase the number of visitors and tourists. I support what Senator Sheahan said with regard to television advertising versus people on the ground and the ambassadorial role that some hotels play in England. That is worthy of consideration.

I wish the Minister of State continued success and advise him to keep in touch with the Seanad as Members would like to have a regular opportunity to have some input in the plans he will put together. When we put the collective wisdom of the House together, we can come up with some good and innovative ideas.