Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is very welcome to the House. Given his place in the heart of Ireland, I think he will have a good feel for the ways in which we may be able to improve the domestic tourism market. I look forward to hearing his views on the matter.

I am primarily concerned with the possible negative impacts of the Brexit vote on our domestic tourism industry. The key objective of the Government's tourism strategy, People, Place and Policy-Growing Tourism to 2025, which was launched last year, is to use Government policy in an effective way to combine Ireland’s key attractions of people and places to maximise the tourism industry. While I am a little biased, I suggest there is no better example of the success of this approach than the introduction of the Wild Atlantic Way in my native county of Kerry. This tourist trail, which stretches from Donegal to west Cork, has revitalised tourism along the western seaboard. I am delighted that the Government intends to commit an additional €100 million in capital funding to take the Wild Atlantic Way to the next level with the creation of blueway and greenway routes and the development of the rural walks scheme.

There is no doubt in my mind that in recent years, the Government has been very positive and proactive in promoting this island and all it has to offer. The increased revenue from tourism is evidence of this. However, all of this success now faces a real threat as a result of Britain's decision to leave the EU. Naturally enough, our proximity to Britain makes it our biggest tourism customer. Hundreds of thousands of British visitors travel to Ireland all year round.In recent weeks, we have seen sterling take a hammering in the markets and, indeed, it crashed to a new 31-year low, dipping below $1.28 at one point in Asian trading. We have all seen the volatility in trading and while there remains a shroud of mist with regard to Britain's leave negotiations, there will continue to be uncertainty in the markets when it comes to sterling.

That is why I am raising this matter. I believe it is vital the Government has a contingency plan in place to protect our domestic tourism industry when we are confronted with a fall in sterling. As I mentioned, we have done exceptionally well in promoting Ireland abroad but we need to safeguard the good work this Government has achieved with a clear-cut plan to protect Ireland's tourism industry in the aftermath of Brexit.

I wish the Minister of State well. Given his geographic position, I am looking forward to an improvement for places that need further improvement. We are lacking hotels and hotel bedrooms and we need more infrastructure. I look forward to hearing the Minister of State's views on the matter.