Should we follow minister’s tourism advice or actions?

AS members of the Dáil and Seanad set off for their two months hiatus, Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar unveiled a major package of measures encouraging people to holiday at home.

Mr Varadkar said following the visits of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and US President Barack Obama, he was urging everyone who lives in Ireland to “follow in their footsteps and rediscover their country”.

Mr Varadkar added: “Tourism is the key to our economic recovery.”

Saying he planned to spend one week in Kerry, Mr Varadkar also said he is planning to travel to Spain or to the US to “get away from it all”.

Obviously the Minister for Tourism won’t be following in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth and the president of the United States.

Such chicanery not only harms the credibility of the entire political body, but further damages the reputation of our political institutions that are already subject to intense public opprobrium.

In our democracy, the minister for tourism is entitled to travel wherever he wishes, but could he spare us the cant and hypocrisy of telling us that every holiday spent at home is a boost for the economy while he jets off to boost the tourism incomes of far away lands.

Does Mr Varadkar suggest we follow his advice or his actions?

Tom Cooper

Dublin 16