Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to be associated with what has been said about the successful rugby weekend that was enjoyed by the Irish ladies and gents. The whole sporting weekend was a truly magnificent occasion that put our country on the sporting map of the world and will also enhance our bid to host the Rugby World Cup in this country in 2023.

I want to refer briefly to the new tourism strategy, which was launched yesterday by the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, in the absolutely spectacular setting of Kilkenny Castle. I have never been in anything like it. I have to add that Kilkenny is a spectacular city on a beautiful day. The new tourism strategy, People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025, sets out a range of objectives and aims to grow tourism over the next decade on a phased basis. It is envisaged that the number of overseas visitors will increase to 10 million, from last year's figure of 7.6 million, and that they will spend €5 billion in our country. It is also envisaged that the number of people working in the industry will increase from 200,000 to 250,000. As I have said on a few occasions, we have witnessed four years of growth in the number of overseas visitors.