Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Aire Stáit as a bheith anseo linn inniu. The Minister of State made a very compelling case in his contribution as to why he wants this Bill to pass and why we would want to invest further in our tourism offer. As Senator Ned O'Sullivan outlined very eloquently, Ireland overall has a fantastic, world-class tourism offer, the economic benefits of which can be, should be and need to be tangibly felt. When we approach this issue, particularly around capital investment and the offer we spread across the country, we need to think strategically and think how best we can make our offer go beyond Kerry, with the greatest respect to that county, and be felt beyond the city of Dublin. We need to think how the merits and investment which, justifiably and necessarily, Government makes in our tourism offer reap some rewards for communities, small business-owners, small restaurateurs, hoteliers, and publicans, etc. I am inclined to support anything that seeks to do that.

I sat previously on the board of Visit Belfast, the tourism body responsible for tourism in Ireland's second city, and I understand the significant need to support tourism initiatives. Ireland has pioneered very well the kinds of initiatives about which Deputy Ned O'Sullivan talked. In my city there is a huge interest in political tourism, for example. It is probably one of the biggest and fastest-growing sectors in the city of Belfast. When I visited Derry city recently, Visit Derry, the relevant organisation there, was very keen and anxious to work with colleagues in Donegal to promote the broader north-west region referred to as well. I approach this in the context of being truly national when we come to these strategies and seeking to bolster organisations such as Tourism Ireland, which has responsibility for promoting, highlighting and working on behalf of the capital investment we make on a global stage. Anything we can do to bolster that offer or benefit the tourism infrastructure, whether hotel beds or greater connectivity within and greater links to the island of Ireland, is to be welcomed and encouraged. That is why I have no doubt that the Minister of State will have our support in the Seanad in seeking to make that additional investment.

I will make a number of quick points before I finish. Senator Ned O'Sullivan is right to touch on Brexit. It has implications both North and South because the North relies on visitors from the South in order to support its economy as well. As an island, we have a responsibility, because of the implications of Brexit, to ensure that this momentum North and South and between both islands, whether day trips or short weekend breaks, continues and is bolstered, thought about and considered in the time ahead. This is another indication of how the decision of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union impacts right across every facet of our lives. It is not just reserved to the expected or more commonly spoken about issues. Brexit has major implications for the tourism offer right across the island. It would be good to hear, whether from the Minister of State, his colleagues or Tourism Ireland, specifically how best they wish to and practically can work to offset some of the negative implications of Brexit and what they will do in the immediate time ahead.

I touched very briefly on the need for infrastructure. Belfast City Council, for example, which has a memorandum of understanding with Dublin City Council on issues such as tourism, recently passed a motion seeking to develop the high-speed rail link between both cities. That would be mutually beneficial to communities right across the country. When we come to these issues, given the very eloquent case the Minister of State made and the very understandable case for investment in our tourism offer, I reiterate that it is fantastic when one walks the streets of this city to see the place absolutely overrun with tourists. That is very good and encouraging, particularly given the global economic climate in which we have found ourselves. However, I stress the point, with which I am sure the Minister of State will agree, that any investment, as I said at the beginning of my contribution, must be matched by the political will and every other kind of will to see that communities across the length and breadth of this island benefit.