I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 264 together.
Since 1989, the Irish tourism industry has benefited from a very substantial round of capital investment, undertaken with the support of the 1989-93 and 1994-99 EU.
Co-Funded Operational Programmes for Tourism. This investment, totalling £739 million, has assisted in the upgrading of existing facilities and the addition of new ones, and has been across a wide range of facilities, whose existence has assisted in no small way in the growth and maintenance of visitor numbers.
Furthermore, an impressive expansion of tourist accommodation over the same period has resulted in increased competition and higher standards across all categories.
While I am satisfied that levels and standards of facilities in the tourism industry have improved, there is no room for complacency. That is why, in my discussions with the industry, I continue to emphasise the need for maintaining high standards in order to meet the needs of our discerning overseas visitors.
To ensure that our tourism product continues to keep pace with, if not ahead, of our international competitors, I have secured some £100 million under the national development plan for tourism product development over the next seven years. This will be allocated under the two regional operational programmes. These two programmes also include funds under the aegis of other Ministers for areas such as marine leisure, angling and rural tourism, which will benefit the sector, while expenditure in the cultural development and micro-enterprise areas will also support the development of tourism product. The strategy for tourism product development, under the programmes will be based on the needs of areas, having regard to whether they are developed, developing or undeveloped.