I am satisfied that the Government's targets of achieving a 50 per cent increase in foreign tourism revenue and the creation of 35,000 jobs can be achieved by the implementation of the integrated package of investment measures for the tourism sector outlined in the National Development Plan.
The plan provides for a large increase in investment in product and marketing over the 1994-99 period. The level of EC investment will rise by nearly £200 million, from about £171 million in the current operational programme for tourism to £369 million in the plan.
Between 1988 and 1992 the Irish tourism industry earned on average almost £100 million per annum extra in overseas revenue and it also generated an annual average of about 5,000 additional jobs. By the end of 1999 we are seeking to earn a further £1,000 million in overseas tourism revenue and to generate an additional 35,000 jobs.
I am satisfied therefore that the targets, while ambitious, are achievable having regard both to the historical performance of the industry since 1988 and the large increase in planned investment in the sector.