Dáil debates

Thursday, 4 December 2014

Other Questions

Wild Atlantic Way Project

10:40 am

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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11. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide additional funding for infrastructure deficits along the Wild Atlantic Way, such as bridges, to assist the continued accessibility and integrity of the route that will ensure the many attractions along the route will continue to be accessible and improve the visitor experience of the way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46341/14]

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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There is a need for the roads infrastructure along the Wild Atlantic Way to be maintained and updated so as to ensure its integrity. While Fáilte Ireland has provided significant funding for discovery points and attractions along the route, it is important funding is also provided for the upgrade of the roads infrastructure, particularly for the Fintra Bridge on the R263 in Donegal which is the only access route to the Slieve League cliffs in south-west Donegal and is in need of major repair.

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Ministers of State, Deputies Ring and Ann Phelan, have maintained an extensive interest in the issue of the transport infrastructure along the Wild Atlantic Way and are very supportive of it.

The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland's first long-distance touring route, at 2,500 km in length. It stretches from Malin Head to Mizen Head following Ireland’s Atlantic coastline. The key objective of the Wild Atlantic Way project is to motivate more overseas visitors to visit the west, to give them reasons to linger longer in terms of tourism experiences and to encourage them to engage with the landscape and communities along the route. Budget 2014 provided €8 million in capital investment for the development of the route to complete route signage and to assist in the development of the 159 discovery points, including the 15 signature discovery points along the way. Signage is now complete and the development of the discovery points will be undertaken as funding permits.

The route is already a hit in key overseas markets such as Britain, the US, France and Germany. With its capacity to attract overseas visitors and showcase the best of the west, the Wild Atlantic Way is set to be one of the most significant developments in tourism.

The National Roads Authority, NRA, in conjunction with the relevant local authorities, oversees the national road infrastructure on all of the national road network. It monitors the condition of road pavements and bridges and has suitable maintenance and repair programmes to ensure roads and bridges are structurally sound.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. While councils could apply in the past for grant funding for certain road improvement projects, budgetary constraints mean that the specific improvement grants scheme has been curtailed to maximise the funding available for repair and strengthening work of the road network.

Photo of Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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The specific improvement grants scheme has been severely curtailed. The Wild Atlantic Way is a positive development and Donegal it has had great success with it this year. Tourism operators in the county report they have seen many new visitors, with many coming way up from the south to Donegal. For that reason, it is important to support the route’s infrastructure. While funding for the discovery points and attractions along the route is welcome and positive, an avenue has to be found in the Department to target funding towards the maintenance of the roads infrastructure and particularly bridges on the route. Closure of a bridge could have significant implications for the local community and tourism activities.

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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The Wild Atlantic Way is an outstanding success. Unfortunately, Limerick was written out of the concept. Coming down along the west coast, the route crosses the Shannon Estuary at Kilimer over to Tarbert, meaning Limerick is completely ignored. Hoteliers and other tourism groups along the N69 from Limerick city, Kildimo, Askeaton, Foynes to Glin feel due recognition is not given to their coastal communities with amenities to offer along the Shannon Estuary. How does the Minister view their perceived slight that they are not included in the main signage and promotional aspects of the Wild Atlantic Way?

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I take Deputy Pringle’s point that the Wild Atlantic Way is a touring route. For it to work well, we need a route that is structurally sound. Next year, over €250 million will be spent on local and regional roads. We are looking for funding for additional projects along the route. The Wild Atlantic Way is working well and there are many years of growth ahead with it.

Regarding Deputy Niall Collins’s question on Limerick, all decisions on which towns and areas would be included in the route were taken in consultation with all local authorities on the route. The Department has done all it can to facilitate communities along the route and work with them. We will continue to do all we can to strengthen this route in so far as is possible to ensure all communities alongside it can benefit from it.

Written Answers follow Adjournment.