Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this Topical Issue, and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, for coming to the House to address the topic. I hope the Minister can give us a positive update today on the potential for investment by Bord Fáilte in tourism facilities on Malin Head. While the role of distributing investment is primarily for Bord Fáilte, the Minister allocates funding to it. He has stood four-square behind Bord Fáilte's Wild Atlantic Way initiative. I very much welcome the initiative, the Minister's support of it and the investment that has been provided to put facilities in place in different parts of the country. I encourage the Minister to continue it through further investment.

Donegal is already seeing the benefits of the Wild Atlantic Way. There has been an increase in visitor numbers which will continue. The initiative puts forward the very real merits of Donegal's tourist product, of which people are aware. Crucial to it, as the Minister knows, is ensuring the facilities are in place to match the concept. While we have the natural landscape, the people and the businesses that are willing to tap into it, we need the tourist infrastructure to be put in place. County Donegal is fortunate to have three of the 15 signature points along the Wild Atlantic Way, namely, the Slieve League cliffs, Fanad Head lighthouse and Malin Head. The county also has 30 of the 150 way points on the Wild Atlantic Way. Overall, Donegal has approximately one fifth of the signature points and way points of the Wild Atlantic Way. There has recently been investment in the Slieve League cliffs. There has also been a very welcome investment in Fanad Head lighthouse, where accommodation is due to open after investment through the Commissioners of Irish Lights working with Donegal County Council and Bord Fáilte. More investment needs to be allocated there to finish the product and deliver toilet and reception facilities there. I commend the participants for the progress made there.

However, today I wish to talk about Malin Head. The local community has been working very hard, along with Donegal County Council and its director of services, Michael Heaney, and Bord Fáilte through Joan Crawford in the county, on putting in place plans which can be brought forward. I commend the local councillor, Martin McDermott, who has worked very hard on this, along with Malin Head Community Association and the Malin Head working group under the auspices of Inishowen Development Partnership, IDP, which, along with the Loughs Agency, has already invested in phase one development at Malin Head, which includes walkways and a viewing platform. Today, I am asking the Minister for an update on funding for phase two, to include toilet facilities, of which there are none, and parking for buses and cars. Donegal County Council approved planning permission for the initiative last Monday and the way is clear for Bord Fáilte to come forward with funding. If it does so, work can begin very promptly. I hope the Minister will have some positive news for us today.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland's first long distance touring route. It stretches along the Atlantic coast from the Deputy's county to west Cork. Funding was provided in 2014 and 2015 for capital investment for the development of the route. This funding was initially directed towards route signage and developing the 160 discovery points along the route. Last year, Fáilte Ireland and Donegal County Council completed the Wild Atlantic Way signage programme in the Inishowen area. Fáilte Ireland also worked with Donegal County Council on a programme of remedial works for Wild Atlantic Way discovery points. There are 36 of these in Donegal, including ten in Inishowen. This work is 90% complete in Donegal.

The next stage of infrastructural development which will be rolled out along the Wild Atlantic Way in 2015 is the installation of photo points and interpretation panels at all 188 discovery and embarkation points, of which there are 36 in Donegal. These panels are being fabricated and their installation will commence in Donegal in July. While the route is still being fully developed, the Wild Atlantic Way has already become a central part of our overseas promotion. That said, given how long it takes to get on the international travel map, I expect it will be this year and next before the route gets the recognition it needs and deserves among potential tourists. I am happy that the Wild Atlantic Way project will bring more overseas visitors to Donegal and in particular to Inishowen.

As the Deputy knows, Donegal is greatly renowned for its rugged coast and attractive beaches and is steeped in history and folklore. The area has something for all tastes, including walking, fishing, swimming and photography. It is also close to the splendid golf courses in Inishowen, such as Portsalon and Ballyliffin. Malin Head is a key signature point on the Wild Atlantic Way and a key stop on the route. While it is one of three signature points on the Wild Atlantic Way in Donegal, it is of the greatest importance, marking the most northerly signature point on the route and is already an iconic location.

Regarding further development of Malin Head discovery point, while my Department provides funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism projects such as the Wild Atlantic Way, it is not, as the Deputy has acknowledged, involved in developing or managing these projects. The allocation of grant funding is a matter for the board of Fáilte Ireland. However, I am aware that planning permission was granted this week for some basic facilities at Malin. I am also aware that Fáilte Ireland is working closely with Donegal County Council on the development of a more comprehensive and integrated plan that will reflect the significance of the Malin Head signature point. This will hopefully lead to an application by Donegal County Council for funding for the development of Malin Head. In taking this development forward, both Fáilte Ireland and the council must have regard to the sensitivity of the landscape. That said, both Fáilte Ireland and I fully appreciate the need for State investment in tourist facilities at Malin Head. Fáilte Ireland regards Malin as a priority location for investment.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome that Bord Fáilte regards Malin Head as a priority location for investment but it is crucial that there is no delay in the development of tourist facilities there. Donegal County Council is working with Bord Fáilte to deliver the project in three phases. The first phase, which involves construction of the walkways and viewing platform, is complete. Planning permission was granted this week for phase two, which will provide toilets and car parking facilities. Phase three will involve the development of an iconic destination facility at Malin Head as a major attraction for tourists.

There should be no delay in providing basic facilities for tourists, including toilets and additional parking spaces for buses and cars. Currently, there are no toilet facilities on Malin Head even though it is visited by 100,000 people every year. Work also needs to continue on the iconic project. I ask the Minister to emphasise to Bord Fáilte the importance of backing financially the phase two development. The future is bright for Malin Head and tourism in County Donegal. It is time that Malin Head took its place as one of Ireland's key tourist attractions. That will require everyone to work together. I thank the local community, Malin Head community association, Inishowen Development Partnership, local representatives and, in particular, Councillor Martin McDermott for their efforts with Donegal County Council and Bord Fáilte to progress this project. I look forward to working with the Minister and other stakeholders to develop Malin Head to its full potential.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I have had an opportunity to spend some time in the Deputy's county. Counties Donegal and Kerry are the two counties where one can take either fork in a road and still be on the Wild Atlantic Way. That reflects the length and comprehensive nature of the route, as well as the great work that local authorities have done to take advantage of this initiative to rejuvenate local tourism. The projects to which the Deputy refers, including the Wild Atlantic Way and the great Irish lighthouse project, are funded by the Government. We are committed to tourism and balanced regional development and want to make the most of what every part of our country has to offer.

Bord Fáilte regards further development of Malin Head as an integral part of the future of the Wild Atlantic Way in terms of being its northernmost point. The area is already a strong attraction but I think it can do even better in the years to come as part of the Wild Atlantic Way. I will discuss the points raised by the Deputy with the board of Fáilte Ireland but it I think it is already aware of the matter. I always work within the Government to secure any funding that becomes available to develop facilities of this nature.