Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Fáilte Ireland will develop, support and promote tourism at a regional and county level. The Vice Chairman mentioned one of the four regional tourism experiences. These are the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East, the Hidden Heartlands and Dublin. Tourism Ireland is promoting the island of Ireland in more than 21 markets. Those four brands resonate with tourists, and they work very well. In terms of Fáilte Ireland-supported capital projects, although restrictions associated with the Covid-19 pandemic may have delayed some openings, some examples of projects that were completed in recent years include the Butler Gallery in Kilkenny, the Blasket Islands viewing platform, which will open shortly, and Carlingford Castle. The work is ongoing. Fáilte Ireland allocated the sum of €1.1 million to the Butler Gallery; €1.7 million was allocated to the Blasket Islands viewing platform; Carlingford Castle got €400,000; Nowth in Meath, where I was last week, received €1.4 million; and the Céide Fields visitor centre in Ballycastle, County Mayo, received a Fáilte Ireland investment of €863,000. Some of the Fáilte Ireland tourism projects due to be opened during 2022 include the Blasket Islands, the Céide Fields, Avondale House, Strokestown Park, Mount Congreve House and Gardens and the Norman Heritage Park. We are constantly building on the regional spread. Much-needed investment is taking place.