John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to discuss cross-Border tourism initiatives, focusing on the Carlingford ferry, a ferry service that goes from the shore in Greenore across Carlingford Lough to Greencastle, County Down. It is similar to several other ferries that operate around this island, particularly in Strangford Lough and between Tarbert, County Kerry, and County Clare. Making sure the communities on both sides of the Border are joined up is vital. I bring this matter to the attention of the Minister of State and the Minister responsible for tourism to emphasise how important these transport links are to Border communities like mine. We are currently trying to promote not just the north east or County Louth but the whole economic corridor between Dublin and Belfast. The Cooley Peninsula and the south of the Mourne mountains play an important part in that initiative and promotion. Carlingford ferry is at the heart of that project.

A major development in this area in the next few years will be the construction of the Narrow Water bridge after 40 years. The Acting Chairperson, Senator Blaney, will be aware of this project as he is a member of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. From a tourism perspective, we wish to ensure the bridge is linked up with Carlingford ferry to promote the entire region so people can come up to north County Louth and south County Down, go across on the ferry to County Down, along the lovely Mourne coastline, come back over on the Narrow Water bridge and back along north County Louth. It will be an important tourism initiative but to ensure that is the case and that people come to the area, we must provide that all the infrastructure, for want of a better word, is on the same level playing field.

I have sought this debate to ensure the infrastructure is treated the same and the Carlingford ferry service is acknowledged as an important tourism initiative. The Government can acknowledge this by examining some of the issues in that area and ensuring businesses, particularly the Carlingford ferry service, are supported at every juncture. As I said, looking at it in a wider context of a united Ireland and trying to bring both communities on this island closer together, the more interaction and economic opportunity we have, particularly in Border regions, the better. One of the greatest tourism initiatives in County Louth over the last couple of years is what is called the Louth seafood trail, which is a seafood trail of restaurants and different areas along the coastline of County Louth. What we want to do and what we should do is join up with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to promote its concept of a food trail down the Mourne Mountains. The vital part of that is the Carlingford Lough ferry as a connecting point between the two local authorities. It would be mean that people can travel from County Louth along its coastline and catch the ferry sailing to enjoy the beauty of the Mourne coastline. My Commencement matter is really about interconnectivity.