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Seanad
‹ Order of Business

Tourism and war memorial vandalism

Summary

Senator Paddy Burke condemned the memorial vandalism and called for a debate on tourism, especially Brexit's impact on the sector. Senator McFadden supported his remarks.

Denis O'Donovan An Cathaoirleach Fianna Fáil

The final speaker is Senator Paddy Burke. I am keeping the best wine until last.

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That means I am second best.

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I join other Senators in condemning the vandalism of the war memorial by cowards whom I would not like to see on the front line of any army. The destruction they have caused is unbelievable.

I call for a debate on tourism. It would be timely for us to consider how Brexit will affect the tourism trade. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport should come to the House at some stage in the not too distant future to set out his plans and proposals, and those of Tourism Ireland, for furthering the tourism product throughout the country.

Senator Colm Burke mentioned that an additional 13,000 people are working in the health service now. Some €16 billion is now being spent on health. There is no doubt that never before has more money been put into the health service.

We must get better value for the bucks that we put in. It is in everybody's interest, and it behoves all of us, to make sure that we get better value. We should have a debate on the many aspects of the health service where we could, and should, get better value for the vast amount we are putting into it.

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