Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are looking seriously at other areas, including the lakelands area, with which Deputy Troy will be familiar and on which I will respond in a Topical Issue debate later. People also believe that this area is neglected or not fully covered by Ireland's Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way and other big ticket tourism projects. I have had discussions with the tourism agencies about ways of targeting various places and they are very open to ideas. Micro-management is probably harder to sell abroad. The brands that are working at the moment are working very well. That is only my opinion, however, because it is the tourism agencies which have the expertise in this area.

If an area is genuinely neglected and a good case can be made for it - there are undoubtedly some such areas - I will certainly convey this to the agencies and relay the response I receive to the Deputy. I do not wish to interfere or direct the tourism agencies to spend millions on specific areas because I do not have the relevant expertise. However, I will certainly put the matter to them if the Deputy wishes.

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