Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, to the House to engage in his own portfolio? Fáilte Ireland launched a brand, Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, for the midlands. It was launched with huge fanfare a couple of month ago in my home town in my constituency. For some strange reason they decided not to invite anybody who was not from the Independent Alliance. That is at it is. I would like an update from the Minister on where the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands initiative is at with regard to its set-up. What process has been gone through to hire people? Five people were to be hired. Who organised a video that was released about Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, which showed beautiful areas in my locality? The video, however, omitted to have anybody on it from County Longford, which I believe was a big mistake. Perhaps the Minister will tell us who organised that video, why places were left out and why some places were chosen. It is very important that the Minister comes to the House to discuss that.

The Minister should also come to the House to discuss issues on transport, given that Ryanair pilots will strike today and several flights are cancelled. The summer months are upon us, tourism makes up a lot of business in this State and it is part of our revenue. The Government gave the tourism industry a 9% VAT rate, which is very successful. The Minister, Deputy Ross, should engage with transport and tourism and look after his own portfolio.