Minister picks Inishowen for
holiday
19.08.10
by
Linda McGrory
INISHOWEN’S tourism offering has a champion in
Agriculture Minister, Brendan Smith, who revealed that
the peninsula is one of his favourite holiday
destinations.
Mr Smith, spent five days travelling around the region
in the first week of August and said he would be coming
back again in the future. |
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He told InishowenNews.com:
“"I toured all over Inishowen as I have done on previous
occasions as well. I really enjoyed the area and the
great hospitality. I look forward to a return visit in
the future.”
Green Party Minister of State, Mary White, is another
politician who is choosing Co Donegal this year.
Her spokesperson said: “she is thinking of taking five
days walking the Bluestack Mountains in Donegal but she
hasn't taken her holidays yet”.
Love or hate the word - it appears many of the country's
leading politicians have opted for 'staycations' this
year in a bid to boost the flagging Irish tourism
industry.
Some were tight-lipped about where they donned their
shorts and sandals this summer but many are proud to
reveal they ditched the passports and packed up their
troubles for stay-at-home breaks in places like Kerry,
Donegal, Galway, Tipperary and Wexford.
For those who went abroad, Italy, France, Germany and
Scotland where among the chosen destinations.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the sorry state of the
industry she heads up, Tourism Minister Mary Hanafin,
opted to spend her holiday euros at home. |
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She is taking her summer
break in counties Wexford and Tipperary where she will
spend quality time with family and friends. As other
years, Brian Cowen and his family decamped to beautiful
Connemara.
Meanwhile, no summer holiday details were forthcoming
for Finance Minister Brian Lenihan although some say
he's been stranded without a paddle in a black hole
called Anglo.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern's people said:
"We do not comment on the Minister's private
arrangements".
Office of Public Works (OPW) Minister Martin Mansergh
spent a week in Co Kerry where, according to his
spokesperson, "he held meetings and visited An
Bhlascáoid Mór". "(Mr Mansergh) is currently on a week's
holidays in Germany and he will be spending a week in
Scotland before returning to the office in late August,"
added the spokesperson.
Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keeffe is currently in Cork
"dealing with constituency matters" while his colleague,
Minister of State, Billy Kelleher "does not discuss his
holiday details".
Meanwhile, Social Protection Minister Eamon Ó Cuív took
a week's holiday in Cill na Martra in Co Cork and spent
another week at home in Corr na Móna in the Connemara
Gaeltacht.
The Department of Health would not divulge where Ms
Harney and ministers of state, John Moloney, Aine Brady
and Barry Andrews, went to get away from it all. A
spokesperson said: "Thanks for the e-mail, however the
holiday arrangements of the Ministers are a private
matter and the Department does not wish to comment any
further on the issue."
Neither were holiday details forthcoming for Foreign
Affairs Minister, Micheal Martin while a spokesperson
for his colleague, Minister for State, Peter Power said:
"We don't comment on the Minister's personal holiday
arrangements".
In the Opposition camp, Fine Gael leader, Deputy Enda
Kenny travelled to Italy on holiday, but sadly had to
cut his break short this week when his personal
assistant and long-term friend died suddenly at the
weekend.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore "was in the West for a
couple of weeks" while his deputy, Joan Burton was in
France for an Irish music festival. Ms Burton also plans
to have a holiday in the West, said a spokesperson.
Irish Tourism Industry Confederation chief executive,
Eamon Keon, said it would take more than Government
ministers holidaying at home to cure the ills of the
tourism sector. He said Ireland needed around eight
million visitors annually to recover.
"It's nice to know Cabinet ministers are giving a vote
of confidence to the Irish tourism sector and setting a
good example. But we don't have an issue with ministers
going abroad - they might even learn something. You have
to get out a see the world too," said Mr Keon. |
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