Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Pender and his colleagues to the committee. It is one of the more exciting things I get to do because it is one of the few areas where we can possibly contribute to the regeneration of rural areas. So much of what we do in both Houses of the Oireachtas is predicated on decisions made in Brussels and Strasbourg and this is one of the few areas where there is scope for Ireland to move forward autonomously.

The Doolin to Liscannor walkway was mentioned and I look forward to seeing the group in Liscannor on Friday morning. Doolin is on the edge of Galway Bay. Would a fish farm in the middle of the bay be a big tourist attraction? Would many people come to see one of the biggest fish farms in Europe in the middle of Galway Bay?

We heard about the importance of fisheries as a tourism resource. There is an intrinsic link between our inland and coastal fisheries in that our salmonids - trout and salmon - move between them. The ESB is probably the largest owner of fisheries in the State. Does Tourism Ireland work with the ESB or has it developed links with the company? Is work being done on the effects on coastal fisheries of ESB operations in the Shannon system?

The issue of lighthouses was raised. As our guests are probably aware, Doonbeg Lighthouse is being developed primarily by Clare County Council. This highly successful initiative is regenerating the Loop Head Peninsula, which recently won an award, sponsored by The Irish Times, as the most attractive place to holiday in Ireland. While it is wonderful that the council has done this work, there are many other lighthouses around the county. Does Fáilte Ireland have a specific strategy on lighthouses? I had the opportunity to visit a lighthouse on Inisheer over the weekend. Located on the south west corner of the island, it is a fantastic building, with its own jetty and surrounded by high walls which the organisers of festivals such as the Electric Picnic would be delighted to have. Are plans in place to develop this lighthouse, which, with the exception of the Plassey wreck, is probably the most prominent landmark on Inisheer? I heard anecdotally that fewer people are staying on the island as a result of the economic downturn, although people continue to visit on day trips. There is considerable scope to develop lighthouses, specifically Inisheer lighthouse. I ask our guests to forgive me for referring to the island but there is an umbilical connection between the Aran Islands and the coast of County Clare. I expect the islands and the Clare coast are marketed as a package given that they are interconnected.

I concur with Senator Ó Domhnaill on the importance of walking tours. Does the Government or Fáilte Ireland have a central strategy for developing walkways? Can those who are seeking to develop or promote walkways obtain advice or, more important, funding from a specific body? I refer to financial assistance to produce signage and maps or engage in promotional work? Is there a central promotion point which shows potential international visitors the walkways we have to offer?

On a similar issue, Deputy Ferris referred to disused railway lines, of which there are many, and the considerable scope available to develop them for walking and cycling routes. Buildings have been erected on a number of these lines, including in my constituency and that of Deputy Ferris. Various local authorities have commissioned reports over the years to identify what can be done in this regard. Is there a central point of contact for local authorities and others for obtaining advice on this matter, especially legal advice on public rights of way over disused railway lines or what action can be taken where an old railway line is blocked or those in possession of the lands are objecting to public access?