Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their presentations. I have a couple of questions.

One of the delegates referred to a three-tier recovery, with Dublin faring best. The focus on promoting tourism in the regions does not seem to be sufficient. We have the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East, but the benefits of these initiatives are not trickling down to places outside the main urban settings. Certain areas along the east coast are not getting sufficient tourists, given what they have to offer. They do not seem to be have the same priority in marketing. They are all lumped into the one package, but, thus far, there appears to have been little focus on certain areas.

Particularly in the light of Brexit, although I would have imagined work would have been initiated prior to it, what plans are in place to include the west coast in the North as part of the Wild Atlantic Way and its east coast in Ireland's Ancient East and at what stage are they? What particular areas in the North have been incorporated into Ireland's Ancient East and the Wild Atlantic Way?

Reference was made, in the light of Brexit, to the need for a targeted strategy for continental Europe, although I presume that would have been the case. What programmes and marketing strategies are in place? Aside from marketing, what else has happened so far?

We are all aware that hotel beds in Dublin are in short supply, particularly during the summer months in the height of the tourist season. Everyone knows that the prices charged for the few beds that were available were extortionate. What measures is the industry taking to ensure Dublin will remain affordable and, more importantly, competitive? The overcharging for beds seems to be a real bone of contention. What are the occupancy figures for 2016? Can we get a breakdown?

In the light of Brexit, what other plans are in place to promote tourism?

It will be more or less affected depending on whether it is a hard or soft Brexit. Mr. Gallagher's opening statement referred to the State's "People, Place and Policy" document as unambitious. What is his own vision? The Irish Hotel Federation said there were 230,000 people employed in the tourism industry. Is it possible to get a breakdown on those figures? Are they part-time or temporary positions? They are impressive figures but it would be useful to see if they are seasonal jobs or whatever.

As it is my local area, I am going to raise it. We talk about regional tourism and focus. The Boyneside trail is a huge programme with great potential for tourism along the east coast from Mornington. They hope to stretch it eventually to the Border where it is met. At the minute, Mornington to Drogheda is envisaged. An application has been made to Fáilte Ireland for capital funding and, to the best of my knowledge, approval has not yet been forthcoming. If inroads are to be made into regional tourism, that is exactly where one starts. With projects like that, one can guarantee that one will bring tourists and revenue in. There are a couple of other issues locally of which Fáilte Ireland is aware. While I contacted it several months ago, I did not get any response with regard to St. Laurence's Gate in Drogheda. The gate is of huge historical significance and is already a tourist attraction. However, it is in need of refurbishment to open it to the public. One has to keep chasing things like this. It comes back to my initial question about focusing. If Fáilte Ireland is focusing, why is progress so slow in these areas, sites and projects of huge tourism potential? Perhaps, Fáilte Ireland has the answers. It could be funding. Given the set up for the Wild Atlantic Way and the Ancient East, one would imagine that Fáilte Ireland would be more on top of it at this stage. On funding for projects that are proven tourist attractions, what is the hold up in funding, promoting and resourcing?