Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on whether enough is being done to promote Ireland as a destination for Irish holiday makers; his further views on recent figures from the Central Statistics Office showing that the number of Irish people travelling abroad has increased by more than one million in five years; the efforts he is making to encourage more Irish people to holiday at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2512/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his expectations in respect of tourist numbers likely to visit here in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2728/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 77 together.

The increased prosperity of Irish residents in recent years coupled with the greatly improved access to foreign tourist destinations has undoubtedly led to sustained growth in the overseas holiday market. Irish consumers have more choice than ever before. They are generally taking more than one holiday a year, although the evidence suggests that they continue to take at least one holiday in Ireland.

Against a backdrop of intense international competition for Irish holidaymakers, Fáilte Ireland, which is responsible for promoting the home market, has significantly stepped up its home holiday campaigns in recent years backed by significant Exchequer resources.

In 2006, some €4 million has been allocated by Fáilte Ireland to home holiday promotion. Fáilte Ireland's consumer website for the domestic market - www.ireland.ie— which was launched early in 2005 has proven particularly successful in generating quality year round business for the sector. Fáilte Ireland also publishes the highly successful Discover Ireland series of brochures aimed at the domestic consumer.

CSO figures over the last five years would suggest that this investment is yielding a good return with domestic holiday trips up 32% and expenditure up 51% over that period. Given the volatile nature of the tourism industry and the level of international competition, I am reluctant, so early in the year, to make predictions regarding the numbers we can expect to visit Ireland this year. However, the targets set in Tourism Ireland's ambitious marketing plans for 2006 are for 5% growth in overseas visitor numbers and 6.7% growth in revenue terms. These targets are predicated on the ambitious targets set out in the New Horizons report and are based on a number of important assumptions in relation to the economic climate in our key source markets, continuing development of access routes to Ireland and the maintenance of Ireland's competitive position. I am confident that backed by an unparalleled level of public investment in tourism marketing and development, this growth can be achieved in 2006.