Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ar dtús ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire. Tourism is a key driver of social and economic development at both national and regional level. It is an industry largely populated by smaller enterprises and is deeply routed in the fabric of Irish economic life in both urban and rural areas. As well as being our largest standing source of services export earnings, it also supports employment across the country for a range of skill levels, often in areas where the scope to develop other industry is constrained. Based on 2014 surveys and research, Fáilte Ireland estimates that overall employment in the tourism and hospitality sector is over 210,000 people.

Tourism is central to the Government's economic recovery programme. It was a great initiative on the part of the Minister to take that on. The programme for Government includes a series of specific actions relating to tourism. Furthermore, a new tourism policy statement, which the Minister mentioned, People, Place and Policy - Growing Tourism to 2025, was launched in Kilkenny by the Taoiseach and the Minister on 23 March. I was happy to be present for that launch in fabulous castle surroundings in the medieval city of Kilkenny, which was a beautiful location. It sets out the Department's roles and priorities in supporting tourism into the future.

Mindful of the operational independence of the tourism agency, a final statement of tourism policy provides appropriate policy direction and support to the tourism agencies. In particular, it will enable them to focus supports based on changing needs, emerging trends, overall tourism prospects and development opportunities.

The Minister quoted some of the figures on visitor numbers. The number of visitors to Ireland last year was up 8.9% compared to the previous year, with 7.6 million overseas visits to Ireland last year. The number of visitors from mainland Europe was up 7.1% compared to the previous year. The number of visitors from Great Britain was up by 8% compared to 2013, when there were 3.163 million visitors. The number of visits from North America was up 14.7% compared to the previous year, and for other long-haul markets there was an 8.7% increase in visitor numbers last year compared to the previous year. There was an 8.8% increase in revenue from overseas visitors compared to 2013. In actual terms, expenditure from overseas visitors for the year was €3.548 billion, excluding air and sea carrier receipts. Trips to Ireland for the five-month period from January this year are up 12.1%. We thought we would never succeed in topping the figure for the year of The Gathering, but it is up 12.1% compared to the corresponding period in 2014. The number of visits from mainland Europe is up 14% compared to the same five months in 2014, and the number of visits from Great Britain in those five months is up 10.1%.The number of visits from North America is up by 13.6% and we have had a total of 453,000 visitors from North America in the first five months of this year. Therefore, we must applaud everyone concerned.

In other long-haul markets, which were mentioned by the Minister, there was a 16.3% increase in visitor numbers in the first five months of this year. For the first three months of 2015, the total expenditure by overseas visitors in Ireland, excluding fares, was €590 million which is an increase of 10.5% on the first three months of last year.

Fáilte Ireland's business sentiment index is positive, with seven out of ten tourism operators surveyed at the end of 2014 anticipating increased business this year. They have exceeded the figures already this year.

Fáilte Ireland has estimated that employment in tourism could increase by another 8,000 jobs during this year. Measures such as the retention of a lower rate of VAT, as mentioned by the Minister, the reduction of the air travel tax down to zero as well as increased air access to Ireland and a greater focus on newer markets, such as China and India, through the introduction of the British-Irish visa scheme - the latter was a wonderful idea - should ensure that Irish tourism continues growing.

The approved tourism business plan for 2015 targets growth in visitor numbers to Ireland of 6%. We achieved that target in the first five months of this year. Tourism Ireland is working hard to maintain momentum and hopes that 2015 will be the best year ever for Irish tourism.

Tourism Ireland, which is working closely with Fáilte Ireland, has placed a major focus on highlighting the Wild Atlantic Way this year. I acknowledge the Wild Atlantic Way initiative by the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, who hails from the wild west. Both men have played their part in this wonderful achievement.

Over the coming years, Tourism Ireland will work closely with colleagues in Fáilte Ireland and the tourism industry to promote the new tourism proposition of Ireland's Ancient East, as mentioned by my colleague, Senator Ó Murchú, in all of the priority markets overseas. I have a copy of the brochure and it shows that the region concerned extends from medieval Waterford to the Battle of the Boyne site. The Minister should consider including the small county of Louth in the project. I would advocate that the project should be joined up with the Newry and Mourne region and extended up the east coast of Ireland. Senator Ó Murchú mentioned discerning visitors. I can assure everyone that County Louth has history and folklore and numerous places connected to St. Patrick. The region also includes a medieval town, a Viking village in Annagasson, Ferdia's ford in Ardee and places associated with Cúchulainn. County Louth is known as the land of legends. All of these places must be featured on the brochure for the Ancient East initiative.

I wish to acknowledge the voluntary contribution made to tourism throughout the country. It has been made by local authorities, particularly by people participating in the Tidy Towns competition. Visitors like to see towns looking well. I acknowledge the part played by volunteers the length and breadth of Ireland to bring tourists to their little towns or villages. People have done such work on a yearly basis over the past 50 or 60 years.