John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am astounded and taken aback because it appears the decision was not made by the Department at all, or that it had no input into the decision, although there are three Government Deputies operating in the constituency. The decision was made by Bord Fáilte. The Minister of State said himself that the Wild Atlantic Way was born out of the need to address the dramatic decline in international visitors to Ireland, particularly the west. Bord Fáilte's figures show a drop in visitor numbers to the south-east region from 1,100,000 in 2000 to fewer than 685,000 in 2010. This is one of the most dramatic drops in all regions of the State. The exclusion of Waterford's 147 km coastline and 50 beaches beggars the belief of businesspeople and those working in the tourism industry. Is the Minister of State saying to me today he cannot influence Bord Fáilte to change the decision that has been made by it? Is he suggesting the decision was not made in any way by the Department but by Bord Fáilte, which informed the Department when it was made?

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