Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. There has been a welcome increase of 12% in the number of overseas visitors. At the start of the end of recession, there were an additional 850,000 visitors and this year the additional number of visitors was 2.19 million.

Many people are employed in the tourist sector, but I am very concerned about the skills shortage, in particular those with culinary skills, chefs and so on. I ask the Minister to examine this area.

I have raised issues with the Minister on the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East. I proposed that Limerick city should be added to the Wild Atlantic Way. While I welcome the announcement of the Shannon Estuary Drive, which includes Limerick city, I still would like the Minister to consider my proposal. To achieve balanced regional development I would like the Minister to reconsider the inclusion of Limerick city in the Wild Atlantic Way. Fáilte Ireland has provided €1.5 million towards these initiatives and I would love to see Limerick city being included.

I welcome the allocation of €324 million for regional and local roads. When one is driving in rural areas outside of Dublin, one sees roads in a deplorable state. It is important that we maintain both our local and regional roads. Members have raised the issues concerning the N20, the Cork to Limerick road and I know he has committed to examining it, but I would like to add to that list the N24, the Limerick to Waterford road. Limerick city is the regional driver for the mid west and there is no official linkage or motorway between Limerick and Cork and Limerick and Waterford. Issues in respect of these roads have been raised with Members in terms of business development. Shannon Airport is on our doorstep. I welcome the fact that Shannon Airport is autonomous, which was granted by a previous Minister. This has been a great success story for the region. In terms of regional airports, it is so important to look after our airport and our ports because they create employment and bring people into the country.

As an avid Garryowen, Munster and Ireland supporter I have travelled around the world following the teams. I know a very positive sports programme has been put in place. I think we have a very good chance that our bid to host the Rugby World Cup will be successful. I agree with the Minister's view that it would bring a great deal of money to the country. This proposal has to be worked on and no stone should be left unturned in bringing this event to Ireland. The four provinces and Northern Ireland are united and involved in the bid.

Last Monday evening I attended one of the workshops in Thomond Park. All the sports clubs were very positive about the sports capital grants. I think we must commit to this on an annual basis. There are a great many people involved in sports clubs, be it in GAA, Rugby, boxing. It is great to see the number of young people involved in sport and how beneficial this is for their health.

There have been many successful greenway projects. I cycled the Waterford greenway only recently. It is very positive. It is great to see investment in the shared walking and cycling pathways and in particular the old canal bank in Limerick which links the university with the city. Greater investment in such projects is to be commended.