Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Leyden should allow me to finish. The issue is far too important for that.

Senator Gavan spoke about the elections in the North. I think he completely misrepresented the point I made yesterday. I understand that in the cauldron of election battles people take positions but what I said yesterday is that language is important and the contribution of certain Senators yesterday was very political and one sided. I have always taken the view that we must take an all-island approach to the North. It is about the people of the North having their say in who they elect to the assembly in Stormont. The point I made is that I hope people will not wrap a green, white or orange flag around themselves but that they will represent their communities at the table and campaign in a free and fair election. I do not agree with his point about the Government being remiss. It is working to achieve the continued implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and to ensure the stability and peace that has been brought to the North of Ireland will continue. We will work with all sides in that regard. I do not want to see a stereotypical debate. I have good time for Senator Gavan but I challenge him to look at the record of his party's Members in pursuit of the LGBT agenda in particular and see what was achieved there.

Senator Butler raised the rural development fund. He made a very important point about planning, parking and rates. I am happy to have the Minister to come to the House for such a debate.

Senators Davitt and Lombard raised the issue of below-cost selling. As the Cathaoirleach rightly said, the Minister was ready to bring the alcohol Bill before the House. It is important that we all understand alcohol is a market driver. We would all unite around measures to see that being diluted in some shape or form because none of us can excuse the fact that alcohol is now cheaper per unit than water. Senator Lombard is correct that it was the abolition of the groceries order that led to this situation.

I commend Senator Swanick on the Bill he is introducing to commemorate the importance of 21 January 1919. It is a very historic day. At the risk of introducing a discordant note, I do not think it should be considered the declaration of independence day because I do not think we are all independent yet. We have yet to achieve a thirty-two county Ireland. I am a very strong proponent of that. However, we should all support what he is trying to do because that day in 1919 is a very important one for our country. Senator Feighan also raised that matter.

Senator Mulherin raised the very topical issue of state aid rules. I would be happy to have the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport come to the House to discuss that issue. One of the points made at the IBEC briefing this morning was about infrastructural investment, state aid rules and public private partnerships.We must examine how we can address the deficits in infrastructure. In this regard, we will need to revisit state aid rules, the funding available from the European Investment Bank and public private partnerships.

Senator Paul Coghlan referred to tourism and, in particular, the findings of the Red C research mentioned in today's edition of The Irish Times which indicate that tourists from the United Kingdom will stay for shorter periods and spend less money. It is important to state the tourism sector has experienced huge growth in the past few years. This and the previous Government have probably been the most pro-tourism Governments we have ever had. It is important that those involved in the industry play their role, including in pricing. As stated by the Senator, prices must be attractive and competitive. Those of us who stay in hotels know that their rates and food prices have increased exponentially. We have all heard the stories told on various programmes about the cost of accommodation increasing when concerts and big games are announced. It is important that those involved in the tourism industry work with everybody else to ensure Ireland's product will remain competitive to attract overseas visitors. If I were a tourist and wanted to visit Ireland, I would be put off by the price of hotel accommodation in Dublin, for example. The Irish Hotels Federation and the tourism industry as a whole have a duty to work with the rest of us to ensure Ireland will remain competitive and attractive. The Government is willing to work them to achieve that end.

I welcome Mr. Adrian Hogan from Limerick who is in the Visitors Gallery. He has visited the local authorities in the 32 counties of Ireland and had his photograph taken with the mayors and cathaoirligh of many local authorities. I congratulate and thank him for the work he has done. I am sure the pictorial record which I understand will be incorporated into a book for publication will be a fitting legacy of his travels.