Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We move from one Lilywhite to another Lilywhite.

The Minister is very welcome. I commend her on her announcement this morning of the living wage scheme for artists, artistes and musicians — so many wonderful people whose talent brings so many people to our shores. We will be able to use them to sell and support tourism internationally. The announcement was a revolutionary move. I really congratulate the Minister on it. It has been wonderful to go back to see live theatre recently. I had the opportunity to go to both the Abbey Theatre and my local theatre, the Riverbank Theatre, to see wonderful performances on stage.

The Minister mentioned Ukraine in her opening statement. The Abbey Theatre is having a concert for Ukraine on Sunday night, organised by Denise and Angie Gough. All proceeds are going to support the Ukrainians here.

This is a really important discussion because it recognises the significance of tourism in our country and its potential to support businesses. Tourism, as we know, is an important contributor to job creation. It makes a very positive impact in areas in terms of jobs. Even being a tourist in one's own town or country is significant, as many of us would have learned over the past two years.

The issue of VAT has been raised. It is important that VAT remain at 9% in the industry, if possible. While the supports the Minister spearheaded at Government level were very welcome, significant and important, this is a difficult time. We need further investment to support the whole tourism industry.

With regard to County Kildare, I thank the Minister for taking up the invitation to launch the strategy last November. It is a very exciting strategy. The Minister will have noted at first hand the enthusiasm of Into Kildare and the very many stakeholders in the business.

I was reared on Fionn Mac Cumhaill. Many of us are very familiar with the legend of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and that of the Fianna. The Fianna were probably the first to have people had races on the Curragh. Racing is still growing by way of the Thoroughbred County initiative and Kildare's three racecourses. I was speaking earlier today to Mr. David Mongey, the chairman of Into Kildare, and he told me that the Punchestown festival at the end of April is practically sold out. Thirty-two percent of the bookings, or almost one third, are from the UK. It is wonderful to see people coming back to Ireland for festivals. One can imagine what it means to the local economy and that in Dublin in terms of accommodation, meals, etc.One can imagine what that means to the local economy and the economy in Dublin in terms of accommodation, meals, etc.

I would also like to give a shout out to the blueway and greenway. They will be incredibly important in opening the smaller areas of Kildare, such as Robertstown, Rathangan, Monasterevin and on into Athy. It will give so many local businesses an opportunity to develop and expand. Of course, as my esteemed colleague mentioned Shackleton, when we look at international tourism, Shackleton will be key in Kildare. The only one who can overcome Shackleton is Brigid. I know the Minister is a supporter and fan of Brigid. It is fantastic that we will have the first bank holiday next year. There are many opportunities to be able to expand on that as a key tourism point, not just for Kildare, but for the country.

For the past two years, we have had the Hill of Allen lit up in white on the eve of St. Brigid, which symbolises the start of spring as well. There is a plan from Into Kildare to expand that around the country and possibly even internationally, and to look at many different ways that we can develop the incredible legacy of Brigid – her spiritual and environmental heritage. In addition, she was the first feminist icon that many of us could aspire to. There is much room for potential in supporting Brigid and supporting that festival around the bank holiday.

We are a county that is full of culture on so many different levels. Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park is an incredible asset. Again, I would extend an invitation the Minister to come down and see a small place that, in a way that no one else has, has heralded and celebrated the bog and how important the bog has been, not just to Kildare, but around the country. The Minister is incredibly welcome and I look forward to her further innovation and support of the tourism industry.