Mr. Brian McGrath:

We had very advanced plans for developing the cruise product for the region, essentially based out of Greencastle, which was developed in conjunction with Greencastle stakeholders as well. It was not that we were trying to do something without agreement. It was something we had very close contact with.

Brexit and, in particular, Covid put those plans on hold. We had identified that Greencastle is a natural deepwater harbour. It lends itself very naturally to exploiting our tourist products on both sides of the Border. Consistent with Government and executive policy, we were looking to plug the gap that exists in the north west. The cruise industry in Ireland goes from Cork to Dublin to Belfast, and then there is a lack of infrastructure in the Foyle, where we currently have around 12 or 13 cruise ships, notwithstanding Covid, and tender people to either side, either to Magilligan or Greencastle. We do not have a physical asset big enough to bring the ships alongside. The idea was that we would look to develop an asset that would not only deal with the cruise potential that is being lost at the minute but also develop links with Killybegs as well. Rather than being in some kind of competition with other areas around Ireland, it would be very complementary.

The upshot of it was that we were in close contact with Donegal County Council, and just around the time when lockdown came, we were keen to develop the detailed design for this project. It is fair to say these things were pretty much put on hold at that point, through no one's fault. We should be looking not only at cruise tourism but also at offshore renewables and other innovative ways in which we could use an asset in Greencastle. We should look at how we could develop innovative ownership and operational models with the council and the Government and see how we can really use this as a flagship project for regional development.

On the other side of the water, we are also taking ownership of the Magilligan terminal, which is currently owned by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. We see a way in which Foyle Port can link up the Wild Atlantic Way with the Causeway Coast side of things as well. This gives opportunities to come into Ireland, to go to Glenveagh, the developments around the Republic, the north Antrim coast or to come into the city of Derry as well. It is a very joined-up approach, but it needs an Anglo-Irish approach and a partnering approach in terms of funding for this. In truth, this would be beyond the harbour commissioners, but we are very keen to participate to the full extent we can. That is where the idea is. I would like to see it being reinvigorated, as we come out of these Covid arrangements, in a way that would really hit the ground running. There is no doubt the cruise tourism market will come back. I would like to re-engage on that with the Irish stakeholders as a matter of some urgency.