National tourism strategy
Senators welcome the Government’s long-term tourism policy and seek a debate before its detailed plan is finalised, urging investment beyond established destinations in the west, south east and midlands.
I welcome the announcement last week by the Minister, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, of a ten-year tourism policy.
Comment on this
The Minister hopes to increase tourism revenue by €5 billion and tourist visitors to the country by 100 million during that period. In the context of Senator Tom Sheahan's earlier comments, it is important that we have a debate on this subject.
Comment on this
The Minister outlined broadly how he hopes this will happen but the specifics of the policy have not been put together. He has invited input from the general public and he might also welcome input from Members of this House. For example, the Wild Atlantic Way has been an outstanding success, as has the greater Dublin area tourism product, but the south east and the midlands-----
Comment on this
To some extent, the west is covered in the Wild Atlantic Way, but the south east and the midlands have not yet been included in the tourism product. This policy presents an opportunity for building on what we have already have in certain parts of the country, about which Senator Sheahan spoke, and for improving tourism. The Minister should be invited to come into the House before he launches his three-year plan, which, according to his press statement, he intends to do shortly, to facilitate the input of Members of this House. We have many ideas about growing tourism in our parts of the country such as developing the GAA Way, a suggestion I have articulated here on many occasions. It would be welcome if the Leader arranged for the Minister to come into the House after Easter to hear our views on this matter.