FF Slams Plans To Close Dublin Airport Tourist Information Office

Fianna Fáil has slammed plans by Fáilte Ireland to close the last tourist information office in Dublin Airport.

Speaking in Dáil Éireann earlier this week, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Trade Darragh O'Brien TD described the decision as "nonsensical".

New figures have revealed Dublin Airport as the fastest growing major airport in Europe, with 1.8 million recorded passengers last month.

Deputy O'Brien said: "In order to remain competitive in the global tourism market, Ireland must ensure that the quality of our services remain high, prices remain reasonable and that access to non-bias information which publicises the wide variety of regions and attractions across the country.

"Closing the only information office for tourists to approach at our country's largest airport makes little sense when if anything, we should be increasing our efforts to attract and accommodate more tourists.

"While the tourism experience offered in Ireland is unrivalled, we cannot afford to neglect the overall quality of the tourism offering in the country.

"The Department, the tourism agencies and local authorities do have a key role in devising tourism promotion strategies and policies. For all these bodies, we cannot get carried away with the success we have had in attracting tourists over the last number of years and we must not rest on our laurels. Facilitating the only tourist office in the airport to close is nonsensical."

Deputy O'Brien added he has taken up the matter directly with Fáilte Ireland and asked them to reconsider their decision.

(LM/MH)