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

Tourism is one of the most directly affected sectors in the current crisis. The impact of COVID-19 on tourism globally has been overwhelming and immediate with unprecedented consequences for Ireland’s tourism sector.

Since late February, Minister Griffin and I, along with my Department officials have engaged with industry with a view to understanding the challenges facing the sector. We established and participate in the COVID-19 Tourism Monitoring Group. This group, made up of industry stakeholders, the tourism agencies and Department officials, has been engaged in monitoring the impact of the Covid crisis on the sector.

Minister Griffin and I have also appointed a Tourism Recovery Taskforce to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. The plan will identify priority aims, key enablers and market opportunities for the sector for the period 2020-2023. The Taskforce will consult as appropriate with various elements within the tourism sector in order to inform the Recovery Plan.

As regards the 14-day self-isolation regime for passengers arriving from overseas, this is a matter for the Minister for Health in the first instance. I will continue to engage with colleagues in Government, as will my officials, with regard to the impact on tourism of public health measures introduced in response to Covid-19.