Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

Déanaim chomhghairdeas leis na Seanadóirí a bhfuil an Ghaeilge go flúirseach acu. Tá náire agam nach bhfuil sé chomh flúirseach sin agam féin.

I share in the congratulations to the Government on taking a brave decision in the current economic climate to send Ministers abroad during the St. Patrick's Day celebrations. I have never criticised any Government that decided to avail of the wonderful opportunity to showcase our country on St. Patrick's Day and the days leading up to it. It is significant that the Government has decided to utilise the resources and contacts we have abroad to maximise the benefit to the country on this occasion. If ever we needed to attract tourists and to promote business, it is now. One difference from what previous Governments have done is that the arrangements have been made on a cost-effective basis. There has been bad publicity in the past but perhaps there was excessive expenditure as well and perhaps we did not get the best bang for our buck on all occasions. I hope that many additional visitors will come to our country.

I welcome the announcement by the Government yesterday that the former Member and the chancellor of the National University of Ireland, Dr. Maurice Manning, has been appointed by the Government to chair a group of leading authors and academics to advise the Government on the centenary commemorations of the major events during the period from 1912 to 1916. This is a significant development. I hope we will see an attractive programme of events that will bring many visitors to our country in the coming years. The House has a role to play and I call on the Leader to organise a debate and a discussion on how we can contribute to these celebrations, how to best advise the Government, how to put forward concrete and constructive ideas and how to best leverage the wonderful opportunities we will have in the coming decade to showcase our country and to increase significantly the number of visitors who will come to the island.