Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We should strive for quality as well as quantity because if one measures length of stay and the number of visitors, one gets a different picture. The length of stay involved often means more money is spent in an area. It is a yardstick I do not often see used in reports, but it is relevant. The quality of service is important in terms of repeat visitors, and that is why we have to ensure that, regardless of who is working in a hotel or other industry, we still convey our Irish welcome and the céad míle fáilte, regardless of from where the staff come. That is what 75% of respondents in the Fáilte Ireland survey referred to in terms of their experience and expectations.

I will not dwell on VAT. Many speakers have said it played a major part in the industry and for that I congratulate the Government. There is a good level of optimism in the tourism industry. It is enjoying a strong year and a good year is forecast for next year. The sense of the domestic economy improving came across loud and clear in the survey that was done, something which was mentioned by more than one respondent. They referred to a sense of stability being beneficial to the industry. Every person in Ireland must consider what a sense of instability can do to a country, because it is clear from the survey that people now feel, given that the economy is improving, that the sense of stability is improving.

I am a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly. I know how important North-South co-operation is in terms of tourism.