Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, namely, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies. With specific regard to the development of tourism product offerings such as the proposed Irish Sea Way walking trail, these are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland in line with its tourism development functions.

Regarding the Irish Sea Way, I understand that Fáilte Ireland has conducted initial reviews to understand the nature and scale of any existing infrastructure that could assist in progressing an overall walking trail along the route. Over the past two years, however, given the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the tourism industry, Fáilte Ireland’s overriding focus was on supporting tourism businesses through the pandemic. Due to the fact that key human and financial resources were diverted towards Covid-related priorities and on account of Covid-related public health restrictions limiting opportunities for site visits and community engagement gatherings, it was not possible for Fáilte Ireland to advance considerations of the Irish Sea Way proposal during this time.

Now, however, I understand that work on the Irish Sea Way walking trail project has been scheduled to commence in the second half of this year. Prior to any engagement with communities, of course, an understanding of the scale and feasibility of the project will be required. Accordingly, I believe Fáilte Ireland's initial focus will be on developing a framework and roadmap to inform its approach to developing of the walking trail. This work will then inform a methodology for developing route options, a community consultation strategy and indicative costs for the infrastructural development of the trail.

As regards timeframes envisaged for the forthcoming stages in this project, I understand that Fáilte Ireland is aiming to complete by the end of quarter 3 of 2022 the procurement process to engage consultants to work with the agency on this project and it estimates that the consultancy work will take nine to 12 months. Fáilte Ireland has advised that a public consultation strategy will be developed by the consultant team and that it is aiming to conduct public consultations during 2023.

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