Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator O'Donovan's amendment.

I commend tourism interests on the latest tourism figures, which highlight an 8% increase in tourist numbers between November 2013 and January 2014. That is an astonishing achievement and I congratulate Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and everybody in the hospitality sector for upping their game. Will the Leader consider inviting the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to the House to support the view that, as we are hopefully on an upward curve in the context of visitor numbers, the hospitality sector and those who provide services to tourists should not engage in a rip-off republic syndrome? The reason I raise this is that I had occasion yesterday afternoon to visit the self-service restaurant of the National Library, which is one of our cultural institutions.

I preface my remarks by saying that I understand cultural institutions in the country are struggling financially, mainly as a result of cutbacks since the recession started in 2008. They must make themselves financially viable. However, I had occasion to look at the prices being charged for small slices of cake. This applies to several varieties of cake on sale in the self-service area, at the exploitative price of €3.25 each.