John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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228. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts being made to halt the decline of British tourism here which has increased with the onset of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52180/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I welcome the overall growth in visit numbers to Ireland in the first ten months of 2017. However, the persistent decline in the numbers visiting from Great Britain continues to be a concern. The fall in the value of sterling against the euro following the Brexit vote in the UK has been the primary factor in this.

At Government level, the Brexit negotiations continue, with the border, common travel area and open skies being of top priority in terms of tourism. And our ongoing commitment to tourism was reflected in the recent Budget when, despite growing demands on the public purse, the 9% VAT rate on tourism services was retained.

The response of the tourism agencies is primarily a matter for the boards and management of those organisations. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.