Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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8. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to designate Malin Head, Ireland's most northerly point, as the natural starting/ending point of the Wild Atlantic Way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54403/13]

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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49. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the plans for investment along the Wild Atlantic Way; and the way he would see communities supporting its development to attract tourism to the Sligo/Leitrim and West Cavan area which are in close proximity also to Northern Ireland. [54391/13]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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My question concerns the Wild Atlantic Way and specifically the need for Malin Head to be identified as the northern starting point of that route. This is a welcome project and I commend Fáilte Ireland for the preparatory work it has carried out on identifying the route and bringing it to its current status. It offers great potential for tourism right across the country, including the potential to attract visitors to County Donegal. It is important to use Malin Head as the starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way to attract more tourists not only to the northern part of County Donegal but to the county as a whole, thus giving it a particular identity. I ask the Minister of State to give a commitment to doing so.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 49 together.

The Wild Atlantic Way will be Ireland's first long-distance touring route, stretching along the Atlantic coast from Donegal to West Cork. Budget 2014 included a specific provision of €8 million to support capital expenditure associated with the Wild Atlantic Way. The overall aim of the project is to develop a route that will achieve greater visibility for the west coast of Ireland in overseas tourist markets.

During the second half of 2012, Fáilte Ireland together with all the local authorities along the west coast, and also the Leader companies, Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Western Development Commission, examined a range of route options for the Wild Atlantic Way. In November 2012, Fáilte Ireland published a route identification report, detailing a preferred route which had been identified, and sought the views of stakeholders during a month-long consultation process.

Fáilte Ireland also held a series of seminars in every county along the west coast, to seek the views of tourism businesses and communities in relation to the preferred route. Malin Head formed part of the Wild Atlantic Way route from the outset. The northern start point for the route begins at Derry, where it joins the Northern Ireland causeway coastal route.

The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, and I do not have a role in designating any particular location on the route. However, selecting Malin Head as the natural start or end point of the Wild Atlantic Way would have excluded the north east of the Inishowen Peninsula and the western side of Lough Foyle from the route, which would not be beneficial to the tourism sector in the areas concerned.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I do not agree that designating Malin Head as the starting or end point of the Wild Atlantic Way would exclude any part of the Inishowen Peninsula. It would actually help to attract tourists to the peninsula. There is great potential for developing Malin Head as a destination in the county. A great deal of tourism work has been done in the county recently. For example, there has been investment in the Slieve League cliffs, where tourist numbers have increased markedly in the past two or three years. However, we will miss out on an opportunity if we do not make Malin Head the starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way. While linking it to the causeway coastal route makes sense, in that they must work together, setting a starting point to the Wild Atlantic Way that is simply a point on the Border represents a missed opportunity.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I must call the Minister of State to reply. I will call the Deputy again.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I ask that the Minister of State engage with Fáilte Ireland to reassess this proposal.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will make two points. First, is the Deputy saying that we should exclude Derry? This is one of the only cross-Border initiatives. Remember the Good Friday Agreement.

Second, Fáilte Ireland has told me that the Deputy's proposal would cut off the east of Inishowen, which would be disastrous. Perhaps he should discuss the matter with Fáilte Ireland, as he seems to have misunderstood the route. I hope he is not telling me that we should not have cross-Border initiatives with Derry, but perhaps we could set up a meeting with someone from Fáilte Ireland to discuss the matter with him.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I would welcome the opportunity to have that meeting. Perhaps the Minister of State might also attend it. I have met and exchanged correspondence with Fáilte Ireland regarding this issue. I am raising the matter on the floor of the Dáil to engage the Department.

The Minister of State's approach is to ensure that the route works well. His bona fides are good in that regard. However, there has been a missed opportunity. We must reconsider the issue, as making Malin Head the main starting point provides a great deal of potential. In no way would it disadvantage any part of Inishowen or Donegal. Rather, it would enhance the overall tourism potential of the Wild Atlantic Way.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will organise a meeting between the Deputy and Fáilte Ireland. It has told me that his proposal would exclude the east part of the Inishowen Peninsula, which I am sure he does not want.

I do not want arguments to develop about the Wild Atlantic Way. It is the country's greatest initiative. It will be like the Green Way in Mayo, in that people will be talking about it for the next 30 years. I want everyone in Inishowen, Donegal and the west and north coasts to buy into it. This will be a great initiative for the coastline. I was delighted that we were able to secure €8 million in funding for the way in the recent budget. We have advertised it all over the world. People are excited about it. We want people in Inishowen, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal to promote and explain it to tourists. This great opportunity should not be lost.