Burton’s banjaxed remark ‘could damage tourism’

TOURISM Minister Mary Hanafin yesterday said comments by Labour finance spokeswoman Joan Burton could seriously damage Ireland’s reputation as a tourist destination.

Criticising Ms Burton’s comment at the weekend that the country was “banjaxed”, Ms Hanafin said: “I think [that] does serious damage and affects the international reputation of this country for people who are looking to come here.”

She acknowledged that recent international media focus on Ireland and the Irish economy could impact on tourism.