Dáil debates

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

5:55 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am delighted the Minister is in the House to take this Topical Issue, and I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for facilitating a deferral of debate on this issue until such time as the Minister was available.

Youghal in County Cork has suffered greatly in the past number of years. It is a beautiful town located on the River Blackwater and has a fabulous four-mile beach, the best salmon fishing in Ireland, and so on. For many decades we have turned our backs to the sea. I am glad to note that the Wild Atlantic Way has been a huge success. Unfortunately, it does not extend to east Cork. Despite the fact that east Cork is also on the Atlantic coast, the Wild Atlantic Way ends in Kinsale. West Waterford is also on the Atlantic coast. However, that is another day's work.

The abolition of the travel tax and the retention of the reduced VAT rate applicable to the hotel and tourism sector were positive measures, as a result of which tourism continues to grow. The recently launched strategy People, Place and Policy: Growing Tourism to 2025 is also a very positive initiative. There is massive potential in marine tourism. In this regard, I reference the study by Carina Ginty in 2010 entitled Marine Tourism Business Sector in the West of Ireland - Capabilities, Performance and Contribution to the Regional Economy, in which she points to a number of issues, including the fact that in terms of tourism policy, there is no lead agency in Ireland responsible for marketing and product development of the marine tourism business sector. In this regard, a person wishing to establish a marina is directed to the tourism section of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, only to be told it is a matter for the marine section of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. When the person then seeks to take up the matter with that Department, he or she is directed to the local authority, Tourism Ireland or Fáilte Ireland. There is no one agency responsible for marine tourism. I suggest that the Minister take this issue on board in the context of the establishment of the tourism leadership group. He might also take on board what has been done in Newfoundland in this regard, which initiative has been a great success.

I put it to the Minister that we have neglected the marine sector for many decades. The Wild Atlantic Way is a first step towards addressing that neglect. The CEO of Fáilte Ireland stated recently that with sound and sensible development there is no reason Ireland should not aspire to increase its marine tourism revenue by 2020 and, ultimately, treble its revenue earnings to €1.5 billion. What I would like to know from the Minister this evening is the point of contact for a person wishing to develop a marina and other ancillary marine facilities in a place such as Youghal or another similar area around the country. Youghal has a lot going for it. There are 7,000 people living in Youghal town and it has great heritage and history. As I have said here previously, Youghal was once so busy it was the second busiest port in the British empire. It is an amazing place, yet there are no berthing facilities there for visitors. Many boating enthusiasts and other people have asked me to whom they should speak in this regard. There is no one agency with responsibility for this.

The Minister needs to get together with other Ministers and the agencies to ensure the establishment of one agency with responsibility for the development of marine tourism. Ireland is an island. It is surrounded by water, which is our greatest asset. We have seen what the Wild Atlantic Way has done for the west. It has been a tremendous success. The Minister should, perhaps, give a medal to whoever came up with that idea. Youghal straddles west Waterford and east Cork and, as such, is caught between two counties. Nothing is happening there. How can we make things happen? What can the Minister do to help? Will he consider proposing to his Cabinet colleagues the establishment of a lead agency to deal with marine tourism? At the very least, can the Minister facilitate bringing all the agencies around the table to discuss what can be done, if not nationally, for Youghal, which is a beautiful, picturesque, historic town.

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this matter. The short answer in regard to who should deal with this matter is reflective of the broader challenge we face in terms of how we market and develop a tourism proposition for the city and county of Cork. In February this year a group, consisting of representatives from the Cork county and city local authorities, Fáilte Ireland and various stakeholders in tourism, was formed to examine how a single tourist offering and brand for the county and city of Cork could be developed. I will write to the group on the specific point raised by the Deputy and ask that marine tourism form part of its work. That is the best way of addressing the issue raised by the Deputy.

I can confirm that work is under way in relation to the development of a new marketing framework for the south and east of the country, taking into account the success of the Wild Atlantic Way, how Dublin is marketed and how all the facilities in the Deputy's county and constituency, and the county and constituency of Deputy Regina Doherty, can be pulled together into a single framework through which we can market all that that part of our country has to offer. This framework will be ready for launch to the trade at the end of April. I believe this is the mechanism through which the facilities about which the Deputy spoke could be better marketed.

In regard to the Deputy's question regarding who is responsible for the development of new marine infrastructure for Youghal, I will communicate that information to the Deputy. I can say, however, that all costs in this regard are eventually borne by the taxpayer through either a State body or my Department. To justify the spending of such moneys, we need to have a business case to underpin it. For this reason, I believe the best way to address the issues raised is by way of the group established in February. This group is a response to the challenge of developing a good marketing strategy for Cork. It is the right way to go. On foot of this discussion, I will contact the group and ask that the marine tourism sector be integrated firmly into its work plan.

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. While what the Minister has proposed is excellent, as are the other initiatives taken in this area, the situation about which I am speaking is different. We need to focus specifically on the marine sector. For many years now we have turned our backs on the sea and ocean surrounding Ireland. With the advent of liners coming into Cobh and other places, there is huge potential in this area. The south coast of Ireland is on one of the busiest sea routes in the world.

In the UK, France and Spain, there are marinas with hundreds of boats and yachts tied up. Why can we not do the same? It is because we did not have a focus or a plan. I am concerned that if it is considered on a county-wide basis the marina will again be sidelined and forgotten. I ask the Minister to consider focusing specifically on the marine element. I am certainly not suggesting ignoring the rest, but we need a specific focus on matters marine and marine tourism.

On the development of marinas, I take the point that it needs a business plan and a cost-benefit analysis, but that has all been done; the Marine Institute has carried out several studies. I understand - the Minister might correct me if I am wrong - the section in the Marine Institute that dealt with that no longer exists, which, if true, would concern me.

I ask the Minister to talk to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Deputy Coveney, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and others. He should look at what has been done in Newfoundland and other places. Can we have one agency dealing with matters to do with marine tourism? At the moment, if one goes to the local authority one is referred to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, which refers one on to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, which in turn refers one on to the Fáilte Ireland. One is going around the houses, with nobody responsible. We want one agency to pull it all together, with one head who will take this on, one person who will have the passion and drive to make it happen. As I said in my initial contribution, the potential is huge, but we have turned our backs on matters marine for a long time. We are beginning to focus on the Wild Atlantic Way and we can see how much it has yielded and the fantastic thing it is. There is so much more we can do, but we need leadership and drive. I admit that it will cost money, but it will yield multiple amounts.

6:05 pm

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A Chathaoirligh, if I may, I wish to ask a question of Deputy Stanton for clarification. When he referred to the scale of the opportunity, does he envisage that Youghal can gain in terms of cruise business, or does he believe there are additional opportunities?

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are huge opportunities in sailing, marinas, kayaking, whale watching, bird watching, angling and fishing tourism; it is endless. However, we have not been focusing on it. We have been touching on it here and there. I am calling for one lead agency, one lead person, to take it on, examine it and drive it. The studies are there, but we have not seen the action. Now is the opportunity, and I believe we also have the Minister to do it.

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Regarding the focus on the marine, with all its different opportunities, I would respectfully disagree with the Deputy on one point. I believe the strategy that came from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, which had the support of the Department of the Taoiseach, regarding harnessing our ocean wealth, provides a very good framework to respond to the opportunities that the marine offers overall. This matter has been progressed by both the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. However, I understand that the opportunity of marine tourism overall does not feature as highly in that framework as perhaps the Deputy would want. The following is being done to progress the need he has identified. Research is under way to consider the development and funding of marina and berthing facilities around the coast. In that regard, Fáilte Ireland is considering an all-island cruise strategy. I know this does not cover all of what the Deputy is referring to, but that work is under way and will be complete by September.

I firmly believe the other opportunities the Deputy mentioned are the responsibility of Fáilte Ireland.

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There you go.

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I firmly believe that. If the Deputy is not getting clarity of ownership on this from his contacts in the agency, I will contact it and find out who the single point of contact should be on the development of the sector. If that resource is not available within Fáilte Ireland, it is a different matter on which I will work to see if we can bring it to some conclusion.

I was in a different part of the Deputy's county last week at the invitation of some of his colleagues and it brought home to me the scale of opportunity that exists, and the ambition and enthusiasm within that county from the grassroots up to respond to that.

Photo of Brian WalshBrian Walsh (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have run over time. I ask the Minister to conclude.

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will contact the overall co-ordination group on the matter. I will contact Fáilte Ireland about the matter the Deputy has raised and get a response for him.