Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I, too, welcome the Minister to the House and the chance to speak about this Bill. It is a relatively short technical Bill that will provide a statutory basis to allow an increase in funding to Fáilte Ireland. The current ceiling is set at €300 million and the Bill will see that increase to €500 million. The Labour Party will, of course, support the Bill, as it did in the Dáil.

There can be little doubt that the Irish tourism industry has gone through a devastating time in the past two years or so. However, every attempt must be made by the Government and sector to rebuild this powerful industry, ensuring it provides sustainable pay and employment throughout the sector while developing our tourism offering across the State. As colleagues have said, it is clear from having spoken to many in the sector over the past two years that the recruitment and retention of staff has been identified as a major challenge as we come out of Covid. I have previously raised the need for a comprehensive review of how we train staff in the sector. We must use, expand and develop the various courses provided by our technical colleges and universities. I am aware this is an area on which both Fáilte Ireland and the Minister have engaged, and I am also aware it is one that many in the industry would like continued support with. Many I have spoken to want to invest, and reinvest, in rebuilding their tourism offering and developing their excellent hospitality; however, many recognise that, without properly trained staff, this will be very difficult.

The opportunity presented by this Bill allows me to speak about the terrific tourism and hospitality offering in my county, Kildare. I am sure the Minister and her office will be aware of the forthcoming tourism offering in Kildare, Brigid 1500. Brigid 1500 is a programme of national and international events and initiatives to celebrate and commemorate St. Brigid – the woman, the life and legacy. Launched very recently at St. Brigid's Cathedral, Kildare town, Brigid 1500 will culminate in 2024, when many experts agree marks the 1,500th anniversary of the death of St. Brigid. Thus, St. Brigid's Day, 1 February 2024, will be a key date in the programme. The main aim of Brigid 1500 is to create a meaningful cultural and societal legacy that appeals to a diverse contemporary audience. The project is being delivered by Kildare County Council and supported by a steering committee of leading experts across the fields of arts and culture, academia, tourism, industry, spirituality and faith, community education and much more. The Minister's ongoing support for this very important initiative for County Kildare will, as always, be appreciated.

Our close ties with St. Brigid are not the only attraction we can offer to potential tourists in the short grass county. The developing equine tourism offering in Kildare needs to be supported in every way. The linking of Tipperary and Kildare as a tourism offering is something I have discussed with my colleague, Deputy Kelly, since I attended the launch at the Irish National Stud. The Irish National Stud is, of course, a magnificent and expanding jewel in the crown of the tourism offering in County Kildare.

My home town, Athy, is currently developing two terrific tourism offerings that I know the Minister will continue to support. The Barrow blueway is due to open next year, offering a tourism and recreation attraction extending 47 km all the way from the beautiful town of Athy, through the spectacular landscape of south Kildare, to the picturesque village of Robertstown. Many cannot wait for its opening. It is already attracting tourists, not only from Ireland but also from many other European countries. Indeed, I met a couple from Holland on the tourist trail only this weekend.

The development of the Shackleton Museum in the town will create a world-class attraction celebrating the life of the world-famous explorer and exposing the town and rest of south Kildare to many new tourism markets that we all hope will create much-needed employment and opportunities.

There are many parts of this country, such as rural south Kildare, that will not see the major manufacturing outlets that are more likely to locate in large urban areas. The potential for tourism and employment and other opportunities that can be realised in these areas must be maximised, developed and, most important, supported. As such, we welcome this legislation. I look forward to working with the Minister on these important projects as they are rolled out in the coming years.