Feargal Quinn (Independent)

On behalf of Senator Barrett, the recommendation is not being pressed because the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, has explained very well what Senator Barrett was trying to achieve. What he wanted to do, which he did very well, was to issue a word of caution. He also wanted to stitch in that this was a concern of his and that he felt it had not been fully explained. The Minister of State explained that it is enabling legislation to avoid having to come back to the House. I hope it will be used because it will be needed.

Senator Barrett has explained it very well. There is little doubt that it is capital expenditure. It is not just marketing. There was a concentration on the point, as Senator Mooney also responded on the marketing end of it. He was correct in saying that of every euro one spends, 50 cent is wasted, but in marketing we do not know what the 50 cent is wasted on. Nobody ever does, but it is possible to have a cost-benefit analysis. The Minister of State has indicated he will do that. Senator Barrett is anxious to ensure that it does happen.

The Minister of State has explained very well what the checks and balances are. That is the objective. Senator Barrett's anxiety was to make sure that his concern was stitched in. He introduced a note of caution. The Minister of State has explained it very well. The Senator will be quite happy with what the Minister of State has said. The onus of responsibility on the tourism business is a heavy one. A great deal is depending on it. The reason it is so important is that it can give an immediate response compared with other areas of the economy. If we manage to get tourism off the ground it will create jobs, wealth and income straight away whereas other endeavours might take years to achieve that. However, one can lose business quickly as well. On that basis Senator Barrett would say he is happy with the case made by the Minister of State. He was trying to stitch in a word of caution and he has done so.