Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Thank you very much. As we know, Irish tourism has gone from strength to strength year on year. We all know how great this little island of ours is, with our vast coastline, which stretches perhaps over 3,000 km, world class surfing, inland waterways, rivers, canals, mountains, towns, cities, culture, heritage, music, sports events and the great golfers who represent Ireland all over the world. However, our greatest trump card is our people - our charm, wit, hospitality and how we engage with others whenever we are called upon. This is respected more outside Ireland than within. As the Minister mentioned, tourist numbers increased by 7.2% in 2013. During the first nine months of this year, they were 9.3% higher than the same period last year, which is great news.

I congratulate the Minister's Department on the success of the Wild Atlantic Way, which is, perhaps, the longest defined coastal touring route in the world, stretching some 2,500 km from Donegal to Kerry. There are many wonderful attractions along the way, with villages, towns and cities, including Galway, which is the halfway point, and there are jagged peninsulas, deserted beaches and approximately 26 offshore islands to be explored. The Wild Atlantic Way is our version of the US Route 66.