Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail)

It is good to see the Acting Leader in the chair.

I concur with my colleague, Senator Conor Murphy, in relation to having a debate or conversation on the new national tourism policy that was launched during the week in Mullingar. I compliment the Minister, Deputy Burke, on the work that he and his Department have put into it. Coming from Portumna, as I always tell Senators, on the banks of the Shannon, I am on the fringes of the Hidden Heartlands, but just inside in the city I have the Wild Atlantic Way. I jokingly say that sometimes the people in the west do not know about the Hidden Heartlands and the people in the Hidden Heartlands forget we exist. I would really welcome a conversation and a debate because there is so much to offer, not just within Ireland but on the platform of Europe and on a wider level as well. We need a collective conversation about what we have on offer within our communities and the indigenous businesses. Only last week we saw the wonderful work that was done in relation to the crafts industry. We can do a revitalisation but we need to be able to market all our towns and villages. We need to give them the belief in themselves that they can market and be on that national stage. That digital world and digital marketplace ensures they can be exposed but you need to have the Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland branding supporting and endorsing your community and branding. I really would welcome it. However, I compliment the Minister and his Department on the work they have done.