Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I have made a note to personally congratulate the Minister of State because I knew he was under severe pressure from various other projects and from the Exchequer viewpoint. I pay a personal compliment to the Minister of State for visiting my home town, Drumshanbo, in the company of my colleague, Councillor Enda McGloin, and also for the provision of €268,000, which amounts to 80% of the cost of refurbishing and improving the swimming facilities, and providing more disabled access along with a range of refurbishment that will be central to enhancing the tourism product of Drumshanbo and mid-Leitrim.

In the context of this Bill, the cap of €150 million is a vote of confidence in the future of the tourism product in Ireland, notwithstanding the fact that some €44 million has been invested in tourism since 2004. The fact that this is being increased from €60 million to €150 million suggests a strong vote of confidence. I pay a warm and personal tribute to Mr. Niall Gibbons, the CEO of Tourism Ireland. I declare an interest in that I know him very well and, like the Minister of State, I worked with him through the years. I also pay tribute to the team of Tourism Ireland, which is charged with encouraging more visitors to Ireland. Tourism Ireland launched a new marketing initiative this week for 2012 and perhaps the Minister of State has a view on it. The marketing initiative will double the number of visitors from key markets in Ireland. I have complete confidence in the Minister of State and the continuing success he is bringing to his tourism brief.

It would be remiss of me if I did not pay one last compliment. Michael O'Leary has injected a great boost to the west with the announcement of four new routes out of Knock Airport. I wish Ryanair and Knock Airport the very best.