Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

This is my first opportunity to speak on the Bill and I welcome the increase proposed in it. It is good to have some positive news on days when we have very bad news. This is one of the very few occasions when we have come here to witness an increase in funding. I welcome it.

I have not discussed the following matter with anybody but will the Minister of State seriously consider the recommendation? I understand what has been said about marketing but that is not mentioned in the recommendation. Senator Barrett may have made an off the cuff remark in his contribution but the recommendation seeks a review of public expenditure indicating the benefits to society as a whole. There is nothing wrong with considering the recommendation, as part of it indicates that the existing allocation would be maintained if the review indicated that money should not be spent in a certain way. That is reasonable. We have seen what we get where reviews have not been carried out on different assets, finances and regulation in this country. Checks and balances are necessary everywhere, and when the Government was put in place, we stated that we would work in a different way. This would be a way to do that. Rather than giving away money with the stroke of a pen, there should be certain clauses arising from a review.

The local authorities are great but I want to put in a word for the county tourism boards. I come from beautiful Connemara, as referred to by Senator Ó Clochartaigh, but I represented south Dublin before coming here. Before setting up the county development board in tourism, the south Dublin area was ignored in Fáilte Ireland proposals. I ask the Minister of State to ensure that county tourism boards are not neglected. I compliment the Minister of State's actions since taking office as the tourism sector has never got as much free advertising and positivity as it has from this Minister of State. He will have everybody out on bicycles on the western trail. He has gone over to America and brought back tour operators. This positive action, costing very little money, is marketing. That needs to be done.

I do not agree with cutting the marketing budget as one must spend a bit to get much money. Aontaím le Gaillimh le Gaeilge agus Baile Átha Cliath le Gaeilge. Ba chóir go mbeadh gach contae le Gaeilge ionas gur féidir ár gcultúr agus an saibhreas atá againn a chur chun cinn. Molaim é sin freisin.