Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which tourism here has grown in comparison with other European destinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41032/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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According to the data available to me, Ireland has been outperforming the European average in terms of attracting increased numbers of visitors.

International arrivals to Europe, as reported by the UN World Tourism Organisation grew at a rate of

4.0% in 2005, and

3.1% in the first 8 months of 2006.

This compares with growth rates for Ireland, as recorded by the CSO, of

6.1% in 2005, and

10.8% in the first 8 months of 2006.

Based on this evidence, it seems likely that Ireland's growth rate will again be well ahead of the European average in 2006.