Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tourism supports local economies and businesses, so I will give credit where it is due. With initiatives such as The Gathering and the Wild Atlantic Way and a series of effective and imaginative ad campaigns, tourism numbers have seen a steady increase in the past number of years. I will not go into the figures as they have been gone over already this afternoon. That should be welcomed and I recognise that progress.

Increased numbers of people visiting Ireland will lead to sustained improvements year on year, and that will improve the hospitality industry and local economies while improving our standing right across the world as a country that is rich in culture and heritage. I will refer to the development by local authorities of comprehensive tourism strategies, as well as their maintenance of attractions and amenities. In the document People, Place and Policy: Growing Tourism to 2025, the role of local authorities is referenced quite heavily in respect of tourism promotion, and that is correct. Included in section 4 are four recommendations about the role of local authorities, and I am particularly interested in recommendations 4.1.1 and 4.1.2, which provide that local authorities will be encouraged to support communities in tourism development and co-operate with neighbouring authorities as appropriate to maximise tourism opportunities for regions as a whole. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Fáilte Ireland will encourage the sharing of expertise between communities that have been successful in building the tourism capacity of localities and those at an earlier stage of development. How will local authorities be encouraged to do this? Is there a forum where this can happen, and will it be facilitated? Will it be left to the initiative of local authorities? How will the sharing of expertise in the Department and Fáilte Ireland come about?

The report also mentions that the Department is participating in the interdepartmental group tasked with implementing the recommendations of the report of the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas, Energising Ireland's Rural Economy. Will the Minister update us on that in his summary? As other Senators have mentioned, the role of tourism in the rejuvenation of rural Ireland is important, particularly in the Border area, where I am from. In the past couple of months, for example, my colleague on Cavan County Council, Mr. Noel Connell, had a motion passed on the need to develop and enhance the tourist potential of Lough Sheelin in County Cavan. Part of that proposal was a need for a roadmap to provide a framework to which all stakeholders could commit for both marketing and development of the area. Any proposal or plan along those lines should be developed by a broad-based strategy group, including a number of stakeholders such as Fáilte Ireland and a broad range of local authorities, taking in Cavan, Meath, Westmeath and other counties, as well as Waterways Ireland, Leader, Inland Fisheries Ireland and representatives from the local tourism trade. It was argued that the plan should involve marketing and capital elements in order to develop the tourism infrastructure of Lough Sheelin, including walking, cycling, heritage, culture and other offerings. It is also important that there be extensive stakeholder consultation at community and business levels. Like my colleagues on Cavan County Council who passed the motion, I believe the development of such a plan would help to develop the destination, brand and experience of Lough Sheelin, building on great natural assets in a similar manner to other investments and key attractions such as Lough Derg and the Wild Atlantic Way, while supporting a sustainable regional tourism economy.

With issues such as these in particular, the work is bigger than one or two individuals or even the local authority. When such potential exists for a new holistic development plan for tourism - benefitting east Cavan in this case - what is the best way to get started? How can the people, communities, representatives, authorities, businesses and tourism bodies come together to make that vision a reality? How can the Department help in that regard? I hope some signposts will be included in the tourism action plan.

I was struck by something when Senator Quinn mentioned the Schengen issue and the Minister referenced cross-Border co-operation in his speech. What, if any, consideration has been given by the Department, and Tourism Ireland in particular, to the British referendum that may happen in 2017? If Britain leaves the EU, it will have serious repercussions for the Border, as there may be passport and border controls, as well as restrictions on free movement. This will undoubtedly have an impact on tourism in the Border region in particular. Will any consideration be given to this? Will there be any reference to it in the three-year tourism action plan?