And here is the original IT article with the remark.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0305/1224242303952.html

>> ............................................................................
>>
>>
<http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/cowen-vows-to-write-any-cheque-to-rescue-b\
anks-96428.html#ixzz0LJTrbps0&D>
>> FG Summer tourist season is a bust
>>
>> By Conall O Fátharta
>>
>> Wednesday, July 15, 2009
>>
>>
>> IRELAND’S summer tourist season has been labelled "a bust" as latest
>> figures show the numbers visiting the country in May are down by
>> almost 150,000.
>>
>>
>> According to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the
>> numbers visiting Ireland were down over 18% for May when compared to
>> the same month last year.
>>
>> One of the main reasons for the slump is the collapse in the numbers
>> visiting from Britain, Ireland’s biggest tourist market.
>>
>> The numbers visiting from across the Irish Sea dropped more than 22%
>> in May compared to the same period in 2008, a drop of over 90,000
>> visitors.
>>
>> In the first five months of this year, the numbers visiting from
>> abroad are down by almost 10% while the numbers of Irish people
>> travelling is also down in the region of 10%. Overall, in the year to
>> May there were more than 250,000 fewer visitors to Ireland in 2009
>> compared to 2008.
>>
>> Fine Gael spokeswoman on tourism Olivia Mitchell said the figures bear
>> out what is being widely reported within the industry.
>>
>> "The worst fears of all those working in the tourism industry have
>> been realised, the summer season is a bust. The British collapse is
>> particularly worrying. A 150,000 drop in visitors, with 90,000 of
>> these from Britain, in what is supposed to be the beginning of the
>> summer season, is nothing short of catastrophic," she said.
>>
>> Ms Mitchell accused Tourism Minister Martin Cullen of ignoring the
>> warning signs and refusing to put in place policies which would aid
>> the recovery of the industry.
>>
>> However, Mr Cullen said while it was a challenging year for the
>> industry, Ireland was still doing well in comparison with other
>> countries.
>>
>> "All tourism destinations have been affected by the downturn and, in
>> fact, Ireland has fared well so far this year when compared to other
>> competitors in Europe," the minister claimed.
>>
>> "It should be noted that we still welcomed almost 2.7 million visitors
>> in the first five months of this year alone, bringing corresponding
>> benefits in terms of exports and employment to the Irish economy," he
>> said.
>>
>> Commenting on the slump, president of the Irish Hotels Federation
>> (IHF) Matthew Ryan said the figures showed the dire state of the
>> tourism industry. "We need to up our game in tourism marketing abroad.
>> We need everyone to pull together to get Ireland back on its feet as
>> an international destination of choice."
>>
>> "We have world renowned music, sports and cultural figures, all proud
>> of being Irish who through the co-ordination of Tourism Ireland and
>> Fáilte Ireland could be organised to promote our country on the world
>> stage," said Mr Ryan.
>>
>> The IHF said a positive marketing message to Britain could be
>> generated by extending the free transport scheme for Irish citizens
>> aged 66 years to all British residents visiting the country.
>>
>>
>>
>>
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/fg-summer-tourist-season-is-a-bust-96430.ht\
ml#ixzz0LJUAI7Eo&D
>>
<http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/fg-summer-tourist-season-is-a-bust-96430.h\
tml#ixzz0LJUAI7Eo&D>
>> ..........................................................
>>
>>
>> Wind energy could create 10,700 jobs, committee hears
>>
>> By Mary Regan Political Reporter
>>
>> Wednesday, July 15, 2009
>>
>>
>> WIND energy has the potential to create more than 10,700 jobs
>> including 7,000 in the construction sector, an Oireachtas committee
>> has heard.
>>
>>
>> The Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) said Ireland can be a world
>> leader in wind energy which would be worth up to €14 billion to the
>> economy.
>>
>> But it warned that the Government must not renege on it’s commitment
>> to producing 40% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020 because
>> of poor public finances.
>>
>> IWEA chief executive Dr Michael Walsh said wind energy will drive
>> significant investment, particularly in rural areas, with Connaught
>> and Munster to benefit most from job creation.
>>
>> He said this will not happen unless the Government keeps its commitment.
>>
>> "We are a country with some of the best wind resources in the world
>> and we have a strong political commitment," he said.
>>
>> "We believe Ireland can be an international leader. But now is the
>> time to act. It’s very important that we don’t start retreating in and
>> looking back at the decisions we have already made.
>>
>> "We are in a situation at the moment where there is going to be a
>> global economic recovery over the next couple of years and it is very
>> important that we take action now that will position us to take those
>> opportunities in the renewable sector when they start emerging more,"
>> he said.
>>
>> Chairman of the Committee on Energy, Communications and Natural
>> Resources, Fianna Fáil TD MJ Nolan, said the location and construction
>> of wind turbines to produce energy must be managed sensitively.
>>
>> "Care must be taken when deciding where to locate wind turbines. There
>> must be consultation with local communities in the proposed areas
>> where turbines might be situated. Considerations such as environmental
>> impact and effect on areas of natural beauty must be taken into
>> account," he said.
>>
>> This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner
>> Wednesday, July 15, 2009
>>
>>
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/wind-energy-could-create-10700-jobs-committ\
ee-hears-96417.html#ixzz0LJUkUQJC&D
>>
<http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/wind-energy-could-create-10700-jobs-commit\
tee-hears-96417.html#ixzz0LJUkUQJC&D>
>> http://www.petitiononline.com/taraeire/petition.html
>> <http://www.petitiononline.com/taraeire/petition.html>
>> Please sign the Petition and pass it on.
>>
>>
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