Tourism Industry
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-28
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Michael Cahill (FF), Kerry

I appreciate the Minister's response but I want to press the point about regional impact. This cannot be approached in a one-size-fits-all way. Kerry and the wider south west are particularly vulnerable to any reduction in air capacity. If flights are cut or become more expensive, visitors do not just delay; they often choose alternative destinations entirely.
While there is a suggestion Ireland could benefit as a safe destination or from increased domestic tourism, we need to be realistic. Domestic tourism will not fully offset a decline in high-value overseas visitors, particularly in areas like Killarney, Kenmare and Dingle that rely heavily on international markets. We need to see proactive measures, not reactive ones.
I urge the Minister to consider targeted supports for regional tourism businesses if numbers soften, enhanced marketing through Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, particularly in North America and mainland Europe, and, critically, protect and expand regional air access, including routes that serve the south west.
There is a strong case for ensuring Kerry Airport and access routes into the region remaining a priority, especially in the context of any wider aviation strategy. The message from the ground is clear. There is nervousness in the sector. I ask that additional flights for Kerry be looked at from Belfast, Barcelona and Amsterdam to boost visitor numbers.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-28/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:52+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-28