This meeting has been convened for the purpose of the consideration by the select sub-committee of the National Tourism Development (Amendment) Bill 2011, which has been referred by order of the Dáil of 29 September 2011. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Michael Ring, and his officials to the meeting. I thank them for their attendance. We will now proceed to consideration of the Bill.
National Tourism Development (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee Stage
Sections 1 and 2 agreed to.
Title
Question proposed: "That the Title be the Title to the Bill."
I compliment the Minister of State for addressing this issue which had arisen within his Department, namely, the necessity to raise the spending limits from €65 million to €150 million. While it is technical in nature and does not enhance his spending power, the approach the Minister of State is taking in so many areas will ensure funding is targeted in a way that will best deliver not just for the overall tourism sector but the underlying sector, the job creation sector. The Minister of State is and always has been focused on that area. I wish him well in those endeavours and hope we will begin to see investment in tourism that will generate more employment. It is well recognised that tourism is one of our biggest industries not only in terms of its impact on GDP but, more particularly, on the number of people who are employed full time and on a casual basis. Sometimes this is lost in our effort to recognise how well we have done in terms of foreign direct investment that is focused on large multinationals.
Our tourism product is an integral part of our economy and we need to enhance it in every way possible. There have been spectacular successes in private and public ownership. The area with which I am most familiar is Shannon Development and the work it has done over many years. There is a necessity to look to the next generation of tourism and to focus on developing attractions that meet the needs of the current generation. I wish the Minister of State well in his endeavours over the coming years.
I note Deputy Dooley's recent comments on cycle paths across the midlands in that context.
That would not have featured high in my list of priorities.
I welcome the Minister of State and thank him for bringing the Bill before the House. I am glad it has passed Committee Stage. Like Deputy Dooley I acknowledge and welcome the Government's initiative and prioritisation of tourism as an area that has massive potential and is a very important revenue stream. It is important that it is maximised as far as possible and that we grow tourism numbers as far as possible. There has been a growth in those figures during the year and we must play to our strengths.
This Bill, by increasing the funding available for tourist facilities and services in Ireland, will help develop those facilities to attract more foreign revenue streams into the country. I welcome the Bill and wish the Minister of State and his Department the very best going forward.
I join with the other speakers in welcoming the Minister of State, the Bill and, in particular, the additional funding that has been made available. In Howth, in my constituency, a local group is trying to improve the tourism product with an emphasis on green tourism and hill walking.
Given that Ireland had two important visitors during the year, President Obama and Queen Elizabeth, that will encourage greater tourism next year. We are in a position to capitalise on those visits particularly in regard to job creation.
I concur with my colleagues and wish the Minister of State well with the Bill.
I thank the Chairman for his kind welcome and the members for their kind comments. The debate which took place in the House was very positive. There is no doubt that tourism affects every corner of the corner. I am delighted to note an 11% increase in tourist numbers, particularly overseas visitors. The number of visitors from North America has increased by approximately 17.4% and the number from Britain has increased by approximately 8.5%. There has been a major increase in visitor numbers from Europe. Tourism is important.
Deputy Dooley is correct in respect of our facilities. I wish to make one point, particularly to the media. We have a positive product. In this country we have wonderful people, a great product and natural scenery. If this scenery could be bought it would not be in Ireland but in China or America. We have the facilities. Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland work hard on behalf of the country. Every project can be assessed by Fáilte Ireland as to whether it is economically viable and if it would create jobs.
There are 180,000 people employed in the tourism industry. It is a very important industry and one on which we want to build. The reason we had a stimulus budget earlier in the year was to try to regenerate the tourism product. It has worked and has given a lift to the country. I think we have a bright future. We all have to work together in every corner of the country. We must give people value for money and a good welcome when they arrive here and we must ensure they leave satisfied. I think that is happening.
As Minister of State with responsibility for domestic tourism, I compliment the local groups throughout the country - the voluntary sector - who have worked hard at staging festivals all over the country at different times of the year. Everything that happens in the country encourages people to visit their particular area, whether overseas or domestic visitors. Two thirds of the bed nights are filled by domestic tourism. We should never forget that the domestic market is very important for hotels, guesthouses and bed and breakfast accommodation.
I thank members for their comments. As tourism is so important to the country, I look forward to working with them in the coming years.
Question put and agreed to.
I thank the Minister of State and his officials for attending this meeting.
Bill reported without amendment.