The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, is being criticised in his own constituency in Kerry South over his reaction last week to the leaked draft report on the tourism industry. The report was commissioned by the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation.
The report, by economic consultant Mr Paul Tansey, found that Ireland was suffering "a serious erosion of price competitiveness . . . and a deterioration in overseas visitors' perceptions of product and service quality".
Mr O'Donoghue described the findings as "a wake-up call" for the industry. However, the Minister, who has enjoyed huge support from the industry in Kerry until now, has been criticised for his comments and, it is claimed, for not defending it, "an industry vital to his own constituency".
The Kerry branch of the Irish Hotels Federation was extremely disappointed with the "unprecedented level" of negative publicity generated by the leaking of the report, it said in a press statement.
"In particular they are especially worried about the reported comments of the Minister of Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr John O'Donoghue, and indeed the fact that he would comment at all on a leaked report.
"It would seem to indicate that he is less than well briefed and advised on the complex crisis currently facing our industry," said Mr Pat Gill, chairman of the branch.
There was anger that the Minister failed to point out the positive aspects of what is the most important industry in his constituency. English visitors were very happy with the value they were getting. The home holiday market share had increased in Kerry and Cork.
"The Kerry branch were delighted when this man was appointed. We feel very let down and are very disappointed at his lack of understanding," said Mr Gill.
Mr Michael Rosney, who is the vice-chairman of the Irish Hotels Federation and a key figure in tourism locally, said the Minister was playing politics with the industry. The fact was there had been huge increases in charges in utilities, in insurance, and so on, which were outside the control of the industry.
VAT and such costs remained high. Mr Rosney said he was speaking as "a small hotelier in the Minister's own constituency".
Mr O'Donoghue's comments were "destructive and negative" rather than constructive and positive, which was what the industry needed this year in particular.
The Irish Hotels Federation in Kerry is seeking a meeting with Mr O'Donoghue this week to outline its concerns and to discuss a pre-budget submission.
Meanwhile, the Minister again stressed the need for price competitiveness when he spoke in Rossbeigh, Kerry, this weekend.
"I want to impress on all of you involved in the tourism industry the importance of continuing to offer value for money. The influence of 'word of mouth' advertising must not be underestimated, with the majority of visitors to Ireland today claiming to know someone who has previously been here.
"It is essential that visitors to our shores feel they have received value for money during their stay . . . negative post-holiday stories often receive more attention than positive ones," said Mr O'Donoghue.