Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy referred to Duncannon Fort. In December 2022, the Department of Rural and Community Development announced significant funding for Duncannon Fort under the town and village renewal scheme. That is in recognition of the amazing attraction it is. I am acutely aware that the tourism industry supports 250,000 jobs and the vast majority of those are in the regions, outside the capital city. I grew up outside the capital. It is a vital industry in my remit and I am acutely aware of the need to help our towns and village to thrive. I am co-chairing the hospitality and tourism forum with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, who, as someone from outside the capital, is aware of the immense value of tourism and the concerns of the wider tourism ecosystem. That is absolutely on our radar and we will do our best to support it.

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