Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. Like him, I acknowledge that tourism has been an important driver of the economy, especially in tougher times and I welcome the increase in the number of visitors to the island in both 2011 and 2012. This improvement will surely accelerate this year and The Gathering will be central to that. The early signs are positive with one tangible measure being the increase in the number of seats sold on flights from the US to Ireland and a 34% increase in seats sold on flights from Abu Dhabi. That indicates higher demand, which is welcome.

As with all sectors, as Senator Barrett said, there is room for improvement. The UNWTO estimates that international tourism receipts in Ireland hit ¤4.64 billion in 2011, up from ¤4 billion in 2010. It is a great deal of money and a testament to the work of the Department. However, in an international study, Australia, which may not be a fair comparison, recorded 5.8 million international visitors, which was fewer than Ireland, yet the receipts were ¤31.4 billion, seven times more than Ireland. This reflects the fact that people spend more time in Australia than in Ireland due to the size of the country and the distance required to travel there. Initiatives such as the American football game that was played in Dublin last year attract high quality tourists who will spend extensive time in the country. We must find a way to keep people in the country rather than attracting them to Dublin at weekends for stag and hen parties. That is a significant element of the tourist numbers. In Ireland, the per capita spend was ¤718 while it was ¤5,143 in Australia and ¤1,714 in Israel. Comparisons are odious in many ways but it is illustrative of the fact that we should try to keep tourists in the country for longer durations. I am sure the Minister will be more than aware of that.

The Gathering marks an important year for the tourism industry and it presents great scope for our entrepreneurs and those with the gift of the gab to get people to come home to Ireland or to visit for the first time. As previous speakers said, there are many good and novel ideas and a number have caught my attention. In Cork, people are working on reuniting the "Leeaspora" during Cork Rebel Week while in Crosshaven, there will be a ginger gathering. There is an annual ginger festival in the town but they are holding a ginger gathering this year to reach out to gingers everywhere. Senator Burke referred to a natural red head in his area but I should point out to him in no uncertain terms that I am a natural ginger as well. Claremorris, where I grew up, is holding a smaller gathering to get people who lived in the area to come together and I am looking forward to that.

It is important that The Gathering be embraced in the commercial space. For instance, Guinness has launched its ambassador programme for The Gathering, which allows native Dubliners to get a Guinness ambassador card giving them free access to the Guinness Storehouse while giving their gatherees 10% off.

It is a nice idea and one where a smaller gathering might be framed. It would be great if, where possible, other businesses got on board in such a way. Business will also play another important role for The Gathering in enticing annual conferences to come to Ireland. This is something which happens on an ongoing basis and The Gathering further bolsters the opportunity for people trying to get conferences to Ireland. Beyond that, The Gathering is, as the Minister said, about Ireland and its global network building on its relationships, not only in economic terms but in community and connection. For my part, I am involved in the committee the Minister mentioned which was proposed by Senator Mark Daly, the aim of which was to get politicians to come to the Seanad.

People coming to Ireland for The Gathering will not be disappointed. Although the visitors attitude survey certainly showed room for improvement, many guides, including Fodors travel guide, have shown it as a place to visit. There is much more I wanted to say. The VAT reduction has been instrumental. I congratulate the Minister and his Department who have worked hard on the issue. We are enthusiastic about it and will promote it as much as possible.