Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will speak briefly in support of Senator Flynn. I attended the Traveller protest outside with many of our colleagues and it is time we stop fobbing off members of the Traveller community with committees and reports. I served on the committee examining key issues affecting the Traveller community in a previous parliamentary term but we must get the party leaders around the table to start delivering for Travellers in this country.

The tourism industry seems to be in chaos between hotel prices and the lack of taxis in this city, along with delays at Dublin Airport and the Passport Office. Many of these matters could have been foreseen by the Government and with foresight and planning could have been avoided. This city in particular does not seem to be functioning properly. There are streams of people walking out of town on foot trying to hail taxis to get home at weekends and in most cases there are empty seats in cabs passing by, which is another ridiculous element.

The report of the night-time economy task force called for the extension of eight new bus routes with 24-hour operation in Dublin. There are currently three routes that function for 24 hours per day in addition to Nitelink. Most people are probably not aware of them.There is a need for a step change in policy regarding the night-time economy when it comes to transport if we want people to change their habits and view the bus as an option after a night out. In the presentations made to, and submissions received by, the night-time economy task force, the importance of more extensive late-night public transport as an essential support for workers and for patrons was consistently raised. Ultimately, and although we all know this, I am reluctant to say it, I cannot imagine the city is a good place to visit now. It is extremely expensive for visitors and for residents. Equally, in many cases, the reward is dysfunction. It does not represent good value for money. Some elements of the industry, certainly, seem to be on the make. We should rightly ask if the reduced VAT rate of 9% is being passed on to consumers. In many cases, I do not think it is.