Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputies. With regard to 2016 and the potential for tourism support, as the Deputy is aware the lead Department for that programme of events is the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. The Oireachtas all-party commemorations committee is obviously playing a central role and I understand it was briefed recently on the current plans.

On the question of how this could be a source of tourism activity, I am treading carefully in that regard. I will be happy to discuss it with the Deputy at another time when the commemoration plan has been agreed and publicised. It is important to respect the solemn nature of what will be taking place and I would not wish to dilute that in any way by seeking to advertise it in the same way as I would, for example, the Wild Atlantic Way or Dublin as a place for people to spend weekends or the way we would support food tourism. The events that are taking place are extremely important for the country, in terms of looking at where we came from and where we want to go. I am clear that any role for agencies such as Fáilte Ireland or Tourism Ireland in that regard would be in a support capacity by seeking to support anything that is already happening, rather than seeking to maximise it or to drive it with a tourism objective in mind. The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has the lead role in that and when the overall programme from 1916 onwards is agreed with all stakeholders, we will certainly look at it. However, I would envisage us being very much in a support role.

Deputy Fitzmaurice asked about greenways and the views that are developing in that regard. I am aware of that. That point has been put to me not only by the Deputy, but also by other public representatives in the area. I have participated in some discussions with local authorities about this, particularly Galway City Council and Galway County Council. I am also aware that there is a big demand for the roll-out of greenways and the work taking place there at present. It will form an increasing part of the tourism offering not just to international tourists, but also to domestic tourists. It is something we must do.

In respect of the use of CPO and how it might work, I am very clear about the role of CPOs for delivering big road projects or projects such as the Luas line. There is a track record of CPOs playing an important part in making those work. As to their role in respect of greenways, I would expect the use of compulsory purchase orders to be the last tool used in that regard. I am not saying they have no role to play, because they do. If we want to deliver these projects cost effectively and in a timely manner, the availability of the use of CPOs is very important. They might have to be used. However, it is something that should be used after other options have been exhausted, and I have made that point to the local authorities involved in this. I will monitor what is happening with the route to which the Deputy referred. I am anxious that these greenways should be something that the vast majority of people are willing to support, as is the case in other parts of the country. In fairness, I believe that intent is there. I have conveyed those views to the local authorities and will monitor what happens with it because I am aware of the point made by the Deputy.