I am delighted be here today in the heart of County Antrim in the company of the First Minister.
He has visited my home town of Dublin on a number of occasions in recent years and I think he has enjoyed himself.
I know he is very much in demand in the South these days and I am sure we will see him in Dublin again soon.
He tells me he could have improved things down there if he had come down to see us more often in previous years !
So I am delighted to return the compliment to visit his part of the world.
I think it is safe to say that this is the first time that the holders of the office of First Minister and of Taoiseach have joined together to do the honours at an event such as this.
The fact that we are standing side by side here in this beautiful setting shows how far we have progressed.
We are now looking to the future with confidence and optimism.
The First and deputy First Minister and their colleagues in the Northern Ireland Executive have shown great leadership and no little political and economic skill in the short time they have been in office.
The new Programme for Government and Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland point a clear way forward for a better future, with a successful economy and a better society at its heart.
It is already very clear that having local Ministers who know what needs to be done is having a hugely positive effect across a range of policy areas.
I know that developing tourism is very much part of the Executive’s plans.
Northern Ireland has so much to offer and, of course, there is so much potential for growing the industry after the missed opportunities of recent decades.
The re-launch of the Galgorm resort today is a clear illustration of how the potential of the new Northern Ireland can be realised.
This major 17 million pound re-development has transformed Galgorm into a venue that has world class facilities and yet retains the ambience of a classic country residence.
Places like Galgorm have a major role in improving our tourist offering on this island. Undoubtedly, this is a significant investment in the tourist industry here in Northern Ireland and for the island as a whole.
I am pleased to see representatives of the tourist industry with us today.
While Governments can be supportive, we rely on your imagination and enterprise to develop the world class product that is essential for a successful tourist industry.
We need a diverse range of facilities to encourage people to visit our shores. We need to set our standards high in the tourist industry. We all want to see more people visiting Ireland and we will all benefit if they do.
Our tourist industry overall is hugely valuable. In 2006, we attracted 8.7 million overseas visitors, North and South. I am glad to say that was up 7.5% on the previous year.
Promoting the island of Ireland abroad as a tourist destination is essential and I would like to compliment Tourism Ireland for the work they do.
They are aiming high.
Their ambitious targets are to generate up to 16 billion euros, or 10.8 billion pounds, for the island of Ireland in overseas tourism earnings over the next three years.
Of course, great credit is also due to local agencies such as Invest Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board for the work they are doing in developing the industry here.
Visiting places of historical and cultural interest remains the most popular activity amongst our overseas visitors, North and South. It is clearly worthwhile to invest in our heritage sites and ensure that the facilities we provide are of the highest quality.
For example, I am delighted that we are working together on a new joint project to restore the Ulster Canal.
We will also shortly open the new facilities at the site of the Battle of the Boyne and I hope the First Minister will be able to do the honours for us on that occasion.
I also think that we have much to gain from promoting cross-border tourism. As well as investing in key North/South infrastructure projects, we should actively encourage people to cross the border for holidays and breaks in both directions.
In other words, you are all very welcome to spend some money in Dublin !
The major investment that has taken place here has resulted in this magnificent facility and is a cause of great optimism for the future.
The beauty of this parkland setting combined with its convenience to Belfast and the airports will ensure a great future for Galgorm.
It only remains for me to congratulate the Hill family and their team for the marvellous job they have done here.
Thank you for inviting me to be here with you on this very special occasion.
I wish you every success in the future.
Ends