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

I welcome the Deputy's intervention. Other countries possibly put a good deal more emphasis on world heritage sites than we do. If one goes to Greece or Rome one sees a major emphasis being put on something designated a world heritage site. There are two in this country, one near Deputy Kirk at Brú na Bóinne and the other at Skellig Michael in my home county. We are considering the development of further United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, sites and it is important that we do so.

On a broader scale, the promotional literature used by Tourism Ireland throughout the world places a major emphasis on our iconic sites such as the Cliffs of Moher and Georgian Dublin. Tourism Ireland is using our unique heritage, which is probably our unique selling point, as a major promotional tool to attract tourists to the country. I agree with Deputy Kirk that there is scope to do more and to look beyond our iconic sites. We should consider the position of sites throughout the country which may not be designated as national monuments or world heritage sites. When one considers the success of other countries in this regard we have a great deal of untapped potential to further promote Ireland throughout the world as a country to visit from a heritage point of view.

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