Dáil debates
Thursday, 15 February 2024
Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions
Tourism Industry
10:00 am
Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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11. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the proposals, if any, she has to meet with her counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the opportunities to develop further the tourism industry on an all-Ireland basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6907/24]
Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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We all warmly welcome the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, and that enables the North–South Ministerial Council to function. As we all know, Tourism Ireland, as one of the six implementation bodies, has a remit to promote the island of Ireland overseas as a premier holiday destination. I sincerely hope the Minister will have an opportunity at an early date to meet her new counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive to give impetus to the good work of Tourism Ireland and show determination to develop further the tourism product on cross-Border and all-Ireland bases, which is critical to employment in every parish in the island.
Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I warmly welcome the restoration of the Assembly and Executive. I look forward to working closely with my counterpart in the Executive and to the early convening of the North–South Ministerial Council. In fact, I have already made contact with the office of the minister, Conor Murphy, to set up a call at the earliest opportunity. The North–South Ministerial Council will play a key role in the period ahead in ensuring we make the most of shared opportunities, including supporting the all-island economy, which continues to be a source of prosperity, growth and livelihoods for many from all communities across this island.
The importance of tourism to the economy on both sides of the Border and the joint approach to the promotion and development of the sector led to tourism being one of the areas chosen for formal North–South co-operation, through the structures created by the Good Friday Agreement. That co-operation has been hugely beneficial and the tourism sector is an exemplar of what can be achieved when we work together on this island with a shared purpose and for clear mutual benefit.
I believe there is great tourism potential through the further development of cross-Border tourism initiatives. My Department has had extensive engagement with the Department of the Taoiseach regarding shared island funding, the result being that €7.6 million was allocated out to 2025 for a new all-island tourism brand collaboration and marketing initiative connecting the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way in the north-west region. This project is being developed and implemented by the three tourism agencies on the island and will build on the international reputations of these two magnificent tourist routes.
North–South engagement and collaboration in the area of tourism has added value to the marketing of the island to potential overseas visitors for both jurisdictions. There have been significant achievements in this area, including the development of screen tourism and the maximisation of the tourism benefits of major sporting events, such as the return of the Irish Open to Royal Portrush in 2025 and the joint hosting of the 2028 UEFA European Football Championship, will also create much excitement and potential opportunities for the entire island.
My Department and the tourism agencies will continue to foster North–South co-operation to enhance an all-island tourism offering and make the most of these shared opportunities. This includes supporting Tourism Ireland in its mission to increase the value of overseas tourism to the island of Ireland, sustainably supporting the environment, communities and economies.
Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I warmly welcome the Minister's response and the sentiments expressed in her reply. She referred to the all-Ireland economy. It was so disappointing to see in the British Government's command paper the negative comments about the all-Ireland economy. That economy is growing and is being strengthened, thankfully.
I thank the Minister sincerely for her support in getting major funding for the flagship project for the Shannon Pot and Cavan Burren Park interpretive centre. We are well advanced with that project and it will proceed to construction within the next few months. It is a €7 million project. The Minister's assistance in promoting it and ensuring substantial funding was provided is very much appreciated in the upper Shannon region, not just in Cavan and Fermanagh but also further afield. It is the flagship project that will be so beneficial to Cavan, Fermanagh and the upper Shannon region in general. It is in the heart of the UNESCO Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark. It is a genuine cross-Border project that shows the importance of developing the tourism industry on an all-Ireland basis. Years ago, when I was a member of the Government here and Arlene Foster was a member of the Northern Ireland Executive, we played a key role in getting the UNESCO geopark approved and putting the necessary funding in place to develop it. We look forward to further developments under the Minister, working with her counterparts in Northern Ireland through the North–South Ministerial Council.
Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Tourism Ireland is one of the most successful legacies of the Good Friday Agreement. I see it in action all the time. The wonderful all-island co-operation and the promotion of the island of Ireland and the all-island economy are so good for all communities across the island.
The Shannon Pot and Cavan Burren Park discovery centre project is fantastic. We were there together at its launch. The project will deliver a world-class visitor experience in the northern region of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands. There is fabulous potential associated with this brand-new visitor experience. The Shannon Pot discovery centre and enhanced Cavan Burren Park combine to make this unique and exciting experience. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of this year and the project is expected to be completed by the end of quarter 2 of next year.
Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I hope the Minister will be able to visit again. Local councillor John Paul Feeley and I worked very hard, along with Cavan County Council and Fáilte Ireland, to bring the project to this stage. Local constituents have told me that the Minister of State in the Department visited the geopark quite recently. He is very familiar with the area.
It is important that the interpretive centre, the discovery centre, promote the history and culture of the area and the importance of the River Shannon, our country's longest river at 360 km. The development of walking trails and a major viewing point will create economic activity and jobs and add to the general attraction of the cross-Border Burren area. We know about the boardwalk on the northern side of the Cuilcagh mountains and the huge number of visitors who go there annually. There is massive potential to grow the tourism product further.
The UNESCO cross-Border geopark would not have happened had the North–South Ministerial Council not been functioning at the time. Arlene Foster, as minister for investment and tourism in Northern Ireland and I, as a member of the Government here, were able to take a particular interest in the project and ensure funding was sourced from the European Union and our own Exchequers. That demonstrates clearly the potential of the North–South Ministerial Council and the further development of the tourism product on cross-Border and all-Ireland bases.
Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I am in absolute agreement with the Deputy, and that is why I so warmly welcome the restoration of the Assembly and Executive. I am really looking forward to working with my counterpart in the Executive and to the early convening of the North–South Ministerial Council. I have made contact with the office of the minister, Conor Murphy, and am looking forward to setting up a call at the earliest opportunity. There will be amazing shared opportunities in the period ahead to ensure the all-Ireland economy is supported. It is a source of prosperity, positivity, growth and livelihoods for many from all communities across this island.