Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I join others in highlighting the fact that this the inaugural Yeats Day. As I am sure others have done, it is important to mention the commitment of Senator Susan O'Keeffe to this project and the committee which put it together. We have seen another great example during the years in the case of Senator David Norris and Bloomsday. Yeats Day, like other international events we host such as Rally Ireland, the Volvo Ocean Race, the Tall Ships and so on, has huge potential to create employment in the tourism industry. The Volvo Ocean Race, Rally Ireland and other such events generate €48 million in tourism revenue. It is very important to realise that for every €1 million spent on such events, incuding Yeats Day and Bloomsday, up to 13 jobs can be created. At a time of scare resources, we should focus our efforts and try to increase to the maximum extent possible the small budget available to the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, and those involved in the tourism industry. Notwithstanding what is going on elsewhere in Europe and other areas which is perhaps outside our control, this is a sector we can grow to create employment. For that reason, it is appropriate for all of us to celebrate the inaugural Yeats Day and the contribution it and other such events can make. I say "Well done" to Senator Susan O'Keeffe and all those involved. I hope the Government can support it and other such events, including, as I mentioned, Rally Ireland, the Volvo Ocean Race and the Tall Ships. We should box clever in trying to host these events on an annual basis to grow our share of the tourism industry in the European market.