Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I speak, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, and the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ring, are holding a consultation conference with sport stakeholders to develop a national sports policy framework. This is the first of its kind in more than 20 years and it is to be welcomed. Central Statistics Office figures released yesterday confirm a very strong performance by Irish tourism for the period from January to last September. All our main overseas markets continue to show significant growth and all stakeholders must maintain this positive momentum in the years to come. I congratulate Loop Head tourism and particularly the voluntary committees of the Loop Head Peninsula in County Clare, as they were awarded gold in the culture and heritage category at the 12th World Responsible Tourism Awards held recently in London. It is a significant achievement for a community which, as it were, got up off its bottom and promoted the Loop Head Peninsula and attractions.Congratulations are likewise due to Cnoc Suain in County Galway, which won the silver medal in the same category, and to Connemara Wild Escapes, which won silver in the Best for Engaging People and Culture category. It shows what can be done when communities work together to promote their local areas.