Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Four areas, in terms of increasing the potential of rural coastal communities and islands to develop sustainable economies, have been identified. Mr. Pender referred extensively in his submission to sea angling. Deputy McNamara asked about the impact of aquaculture on tourism. We are trying to develop a template that would assist development of coastal and island communities and to identify the proper mix in this regard, including if there are initiatives outside of tourism that could be taken but would compromise tourism.

Deputy Ó Cuív referred to structural alterations. Could a better structural system be put in place to deal specifically with these communities? There are a huge range of initiatives out there. The 159 destinations on the Wild Atlantic Way should in theory touch on many of the communities which we are trying to develop. That is by way of background from someone from the uplands of the east. The walkways referenced are along the coast. As everybody else has been parochial, the cliff walk from Bray to Greystones is very good, although it probably already has sufficient users and the communities concerned are not in the same situation. That is my observations on the contributions today from Mr. Pender and members.

I invite Mr. Pender and his colleagues to respond at this point to the questions raised.