Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I rise to welcome two things relating to Limerick. Fáilte Ireland and the council had a joint collaboration yesterday, which was two years in the making, whereby Limerick city is now identified as a gateway city of the Wild Atlantic Way. While the Wild Atlantic Way has been a great success, urban tourism destinations like Limerick city were losing out. That it has now been included shows that Limerick has much on offer for tourism and culture. What has happened will encourage people to come and use Limerick city, use hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation, use the different venues and visit restaurants and so on. Visitors to Ireland will use Limerick city as a hub when visiting many of the tourism destinations within easy reach of it.

Also in Limerick yesterday, the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, came to visit the women's caucus of the council. Limerick City and County Council set up the first female caucus within a local authority. More than €60,000 has been announced for female caucuses in local authorities. I welcome this because female caucuses play a key role in development and in putting forward policies. I welcome that they will now be able to access funding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. That they will be supported is the right thing to do. I wish all the female caucuses in the local authorities the very best going forward.