Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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963. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether the policy of closing national monuments, buildings and exhibitions on public and bank holidays is counterproductive for our tourism strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19677/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Opening hours at our national monuments, buildings and exhibitions are a matter in the first instance for the boards and management of the Office of Public Works and the National Cultural Institutions. These organisations come within the remit of the Minister of State for Public Service Reform and the Office of Public Works and the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht respectively.  

As Minister with responsibility for tourism I am of course keen to see that everything be done that can be, to enhance the experience for visitors, having regard to available resources. The broader issue of how bodies such as those mentioned by the Deputy, as well as other government departments and agencies, can balance their important role in tourism with their other functions, and the priority that should be attached to tourism, is something that is being considered within the tourism policy review that is currently underway.