Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the value of the tourism sector to the economy annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5876/08]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the compilation of statistical data relating to economic activities in the State is primarily a matter for the Central Statistics Office. Fáilte Ireland produces an annual summary of Tourism Facts. The most recent year for which full data is available is 2006. According to Fáilte Ireland, in 2006 out-of-state tourist expenditure, including spending by visitors from Northern Ireland, amounted to €4 billion. With a further €0.66 billion spent by overseas visitors on fares to Irish carriers, total foreign exchange earnings were €4.66 billion. Domestic tourism expenditure amounted to €1.4 billion making tourism in total a €6 billion industry in 2006. The comparative figures for 2007 will be available later this year.