James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

People working together is part of the theme that I wish to address here today. There are many active groups in Fingal, in Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush, Malahide, Portmarnock and elsewhere, but particularly the first two, which are keen to progress a coastal walk. They have a plan in place. The capital plan is under mid-term review and it is planned to be published in September. I am calling for a national greenway fund of €200 million to be put in place by the Minister. It is part of the programme for Government and it is something that we have a commitment to and that we should progress.

Fingal has a coast and castle way planned which would run from Sutton all the way through Baldoyle, Portmarnock, across Malahide and down the coast all the way to Balbriggan. The benefits of this would be considerable. The funding involved is small. It is 45 km. We have the precedent already set - one opened recently in Waterford. However, the one that we can look to in terms of productivity is the one in Westport, where €6 million was spent and in the first year that €6 million was recouped. In 2014, the figure was €12 million. It has repaid its debt many times over. From talking to local Councillor Tom O'Leary, I am aware tourism groups are very supportive of this idea. The Fingal CEO, Mr. Paul Reid, who is progressive, would be very supportive of this too.

To finish, because time is of the essence, we need to progress these initiatives. They pay a dividend, economically and financially, but they also pay a significant social dividend providing a safe place for families to be together to walk or to cycle. God knows people around Dublin will be aware there are few safe places where one could take young children cycling unless one goes to a public park. The potential for jobs, but also for better health outcomes, both mental and physical, is considerable.

With Brexit looming and already a recorded drop in some of the numbers visiting us from Britain, we need to improve our offering in this country. I am mindful of the fact that 28 million passengers passed through Dublin Airport last year and that an offering of this nature might help them stay an extra day or two around the capital or in the country whereas otherwise they might not. We have a lovely link here along the coast. We also have the additional issue of Ardgillan Castle, Malahide Castle and Bremore Castle. Therefore, there is culture, there is exercise, there is nature and there is the benefit of families engaging in activity together. It is a win, win, win for everybody.