Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

Overall, County Cork is a very vibrant tourist destination. West Cork is regarded as one of the primary tourist destinations in the country. People in Youghal and elsewhere can only regard what is being done in west Cork as a very good model on which to base a tourism product. Having a reasonable knowledge of east Cork and the Youghal area — I have relatives there — I realise it has considerable potential. This must be driven by local leaders, in addition to the Government. Any Government would consider tourism and agriculture, the strong points in east Cork, as fine drivers for the future. The Government will be putting particular emphasis on growing the number of tourists and supporting the farming community and food industry with a view to job creation. There is a connection between culinary tourism and areas such as Youghal in east Cork, which is also a traditional seaside resort like Ballybunion in County Kerry. Apparently, there is now more interest in our traditional seaside resorts than previously so there is more potential there also.

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