Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the Senators who have contributed to this discussion which I hope has been as informative for them as it has been for me. All of the contributions have been helpful.

The thing about tourism is that people come up with really good ideas all the time. It is a question of implementing them. Some things are expensive and difficult to implement but others are not. I mention the Wild Atlantic Way as an example. We have always had the Atlantic Ocean and the wilderness. Various ways were there for a long time, but we did not join all of them up until five or six years ago. It did not cost a hell of a lot to develop the Wild Atlantic Way and it is worth looking at the return we have gained from it. Reference has been made to the need to think outside the box. We need to think constantly of new ways and new ideas for what we can do, how we can enhance the overall product, add to what we have and protect the industry.

I thank Senator Ned O'Sullivan for his reference to some very positive initiatives. Senator James Lawlor wondered whether it was a coincidence that we had seen growth for seven years, given that a certain party had been in government for seven years.