Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to complaints by Tourism Ireland that foreign tourists holding the appropriate entry permissions have faced racial harassment and discrimination from immigration staff at Dublin Airport; his views on these complaints; if he has raised this matter with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31886/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, immigration policy is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and its implementation is a matter for the relevant authorities, including the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service. Tourism Ireland has made my Department aware of some incidents where visitors encountered difficulties entering Ireland. The main thrust of Tourism Ireland's communications was to put forward some ideas for discussion in respect of the implementation of immigration policy as it impacts on the promotion of inbound tourism.

My Department in turn has engaged with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in relation to these issues. While any such difficulties and misunderstandings are regrettable, it must be recognised that the number of such incidents has not been significant when seen in the light of over 8 million overseas visitors coming to Ireland in 2007. This performance clearly demonstrates that the vast majority of visitors experience few difficulties entering Ireland. Furthermore, the valuable and largely unrecognised work done by the Gardaí in assisting visitors to Ireland from all countries should also be acknowledged.