Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is for Fáilte Ireland to make that call, but I would be happy to refer the matter to it. I do not doubt that great work is already under way on the ground in the Lee Valley. We are constantly learning from one another and best practice. In my county, for example, the Reeks district is a new and up and coming brand that has made great progress in recent years. It would be helpful to examine what people there are doing and the model they have applied. The Munster Vales to the Deputy's east have done brilliant work in recent years. These are the types of experience and brand from which other areas can learn and, in turn, they can learn from what is happening in the Lee Valley. There are strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in each area.

The destination towns scheme is not the only avenue of Fáilte Ireland or departmental funding. We have a greenway fund and numerous other capital funds are available through Fáilte Ireland. I advise the Deputy to be constantly aware of the types of funding available across the whole of government. For example, rural regeneration funding and other Department of Rural and Community Development funding can be helpful for developing tourism products.

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