Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1579. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the recent figures published by the CSO showing a 9% drop in the number of UK citizens visiting here; his plans to deal with the impact of Brexit and the fall in the value of sterling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38089/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Trips to Ireland for the first seven months of 2017 were up by 3.1% compared to the corresponding period in 2016. The data also indicates that the number of visits from Britain for the first seven months of 2017 was down by -6.2% compared to the same period in 2016.

Since the UK voted to leave the EU, my department has been fully engaged in evaluating the ensuing risks for tourism and, together with the tourism agencies, working to address those risks. The department's analysis of the situation was greatly assisted by the All-Island sectorial meeting I hosted with the industry in January which examined the impact of Brexit on the tourism and hospitality sector. From a departmental perspective, we will continue our work across Government to ensure that our concerns are high on the agenda. For tourism, the priorities include maintaining a liberalised aviation regime, preserving the common travel area, avoiding a hard border and retaining British-Irish visa agreements for third countries.

The tourism agencies are engaged in the operational aspects of preparing for Brexit and the impact of the fall in the value of sterling. I have referred the Deputy's question to both tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for further details of the initiatives underway. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.