Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Senator D'Arcy. The Minister is very welcome. I will also forgo the formalities for the sake of time.I sat on South Dublin County Council's tourism policy committee. I am amazed by how much tourism can bring to an area in terms of investment and employment and the potential it possesses. I congratulate the Minister on what has been put together in the July stimulus package and other measures. They are extraordinary and welcome, so I will not go into their details.

The Minister referred to the tourism task force. I ask that she exert her influence in obliging the task force to consider smaller packages of tourism offerings that have not been put together heretofore or any alternative that could equip local authorities with additional funds for the promotion of particular tourism offerings. In my constituency of Dublin South-Central, there is a wealth of historic sites spanning several centuries. Repackaging tourism offerings like Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, which my colleague mentioned, heightens awareness, improves an area's reputation, creates stories and increases capital investment and employment.

Dublin South-Central holds in its heart a unique history and heritage for any tourist from inside or outside the Pale. Indeed, the remnants of the Pale itself are within the constituency. One can ramble through the Liberties, which is one of Dublin's most historic neighbourhoods and is associated with the River Poddle. There are market traders and local family-owned businesses, including those in the Iveagh Markets, which are to be further developed. The area is home to the Guinness brewery, whiskey distillers on James's Street and historic textile industries, including Weavers Hall. One can visit John's Lane Church and view the 12 statues in the tower niches, the work of sculptor James Pearse, who was the father of Patrick and William Pearse. One can visit St. Catherine's Church on Thomas Street, the site of the execution of Robert Emmet, and remember that our country has taken its place among the nations of the world. One can visit St. James's Church, the historic start of the Camino de Santiago. One can ramble to Kilmainham and take in the Royal Hospital, the Museum of Modern Art and its beautiful grounds, and wander through the War Memorial Gardens and Kilmainham Gaol or visit Richmond Barracks in Inchicore or Drimnagh Castle, the only remaining castle with a flooded moat in Ireland.

There is a wealth of tourism offerings in Dublin South-Central. I ask that the Minister consider looking at this suggestion as part of the tourism task force or equipping local authorities to put such smaller offerings in place, particularly in urban settings to put more life, business and employment into them.