Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join in the call made by the Fianna Fáil group leader, Senator Catherine Ardagh, for a debate on crime. This city has been ravaged by the recent gangland assassinations. We all need to be on the alert to and highlight the issue. The Minister would be welcome to come to the House for a debate on it in the near future and I call on the Leader to facilitate my request.

I also call for a debate on tourism. It is an opportune time to have such a debate, given that the weather has been reasonably good in recent weeks and many more people are visiting the country. I note the concern expressed by my colleague, Senator Paul Coghlan, about Brexit and the potential detrimental effect if the United Kingdom was to leave the European Union. The tourism industry is going well, but we cannot become complacent in any circumstance. I commend RTE for its programme on the Wild Atlantic Way. The scenery is phenomenal and the programme showed the authentic Ireland. The production should be made available to other channels to be shown throughout the world. The programme broadcast last Sunday night was incredible. Tourism has the potential to create thousands of jobs in many parts of the country. We, therefore, need to up our game constantly to ensure the services and facilities provided for those who visit are second to none, that the experience is kept authentic and that we do not destroy it. I would like in early course, perhaps before the end of term, given that we are in the summer season, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to come to the House to hear statements on tourism over a couple of hours and to outline his vision for its potential development, both in rural and urban areas, in the coming years.