Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Today and tomorrow in Dublin Castle the National Economic Dialogue, sponsored by the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, is being held. This is all about our economic agenda facing into the budget. It is important that we get our choices right in these days for the benefit of the economy and of our people. About 150 people are invited from all areas of life, from the community and voluntary sector and from unions and business, IBEC and ISME, for example.It is strange to relate, but no representatives of the tourism industry have been invited or are present, to my knowledge, despite the fact that comparable areas of employment such as the agricultural sector are represented. It is right that the important area of agriculture is represented because, directly and indirectly, it provides employment for about 250,000 people in this country. To take an example, Adrian Cummins, who is the chief executive of the Restaurant Association of Ireland, has pointed out that 220,000 people work in the tourism and hospitality sector. In addition, the tourism sector can claim credit for a quarter of the jobs that have been created over the past five years. We have had 30,000 new jobs in the sector in the past four years, and it is hoped that 50,000 new jobs will be created in that area. Therefore, tourism is doing its part. At this time of the year, when the minds of many people turn to tourism, it seems strange that when tourism organisations apply to be involved in important economic talks, they are told that they cannot be facilitated. I find such a stance hard to understand. The Government committed several years ago to the creation of a vibrant tourism economy that would be jobs-focused. It gave a commitment that there would be a particular focus on that area. It seems strange, if it is the case, that representatives of the important tourism sector are left out of the conversation at this time.