Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As my party's spokesperson on tourism and sport, I welcome today's announcement by B&B Ireland of the significant rise in bookings received in the bed and breakfast and guesthouse sector for the first three months of this year. The figures are very encouraging for all concerned.

I believe it to be a tosnú maith for the bed and breakfast and small guesthouse sector in this year of The Gathering. It augurs well for a significant increase in the number of tourists coming to the country this year. This sector offers great value for money and is very popular with our European visitors, as well as those from the United States, Great Britain and Northern Ireland. In particular, I welcome the short-stay visitors from Northern Ireland, who are receiving great value for money at present. I must admit that some of the best bed and breakfast establishments and small family-run guesthouses are to be found throughout my home county of Louth, many of which are on the Cooley Peninsula and some are in my medieval home town of Carlingford. If Members seek value, as they all do, I recommend they come to the north east, where we have much to offer the discerning visitor. I believe this to be good news for the tourism industry this year and ask the Leader to request the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to give Members up-to-date details concerning visitor numbers to date, as well as the number of visitors he anticipates will come to Ireland this year.