Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I brought a delegation from the Leitrim Tourism Network to meet the Minister last year about this issue. There has been a decline in tourism in the north west and the Border region in particular. There was a 16% decline last year. Brexit is part of the problem because traditionally that area has relied on tourism from Britain and that is a cross-Border issue we have faced over the past couple of years. The Minister indicated at that time that additional funding would be put in place and it was allocated in the budget but the reports I hear from the industry on the ground is that it sees little sign of the additional marketing it requires to try to enhance its tourism product, promote the area and attract more tourism. I would like some information as to the level of funding in place and on how it has been spent and where. The local authorities tell me they have not seen it, as do the tourism and hotel networks on the ground. We would like to know where the additional funding is and the impact it will have in the future.

See this speech in context