Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Garvey for raising this Commencement matter. The Government is very conscious of the importance of the tourism sector, not only in Clare but throughout the country. For this reason, the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, and the Government have been proud to support the sector in recent years. Ensuring we have the right tourism product is essential if we are to achieve the ambitious targets for further sustainable tourism growth. The Government is committed to ensure that all areas benefit.

As regards the spread of tourism, as Senator Garvey will be aware, County Clare is included in both Fáilte Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Hidden Heartland’s regional tourism development strategies covering the period up to 2027. These roadmaps for the industry are designed to steer a course towards ongoing tourism recovery since the severe challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. The plans set out a strategic approach to unlocking the potential of both the Wild Atlantic Way and Hidden Heartlands and will ensure focus on tourism development is sustainable and regenerative.

The regional tourism development strategies will be activated across every region through a series of local area action plans, referred to as destination and experience development plans. These local development plans are highly collaborative in nature, involving all local stakeholders. Fáilte Ireland’s commitment is for every part of the country to have a detailed tourism development action plan created in partnership with local stakeholders.

I understand that County Clare is being developed under three destination and experience development plans, namely, the Burren visitor experience development plan; the cliff coast destination experience development plan; and the Lough Derg experience development plan. I am informed that the Burren visitor experience development plan is complete and is at implementation stage, with a strong committee comprised of trade and relevant agencies. The cliff coast destination experience development plan is expected to be launched later this year, while the Lough Derg experience development plan continues to progress.

Fáilte Ireland has invested €230,000 in the Cliffs of Moher master plan, which is being delivered by Clare County Council. The Cliffs of Moher visitor experience, which is owned and operated by Clare County Council, has played a central role in building a positive image of Ireland at home and abroad for many decades and is a signature discovery point on the Wild Atlantic Way. The aim of the Cliffs of Moher Strategy 2040 is to ensure that this iconic international tourism landmark delivers for the whole region through the development of enhanced relationships and links with the Burren, the Wild Atlantic Way and the wider hinterland. The strategy sets out a long-term vision for the Cliffs of Moher experience, focusing on sustainable development of a world-class visitor attraction over the next 20 years. A multidisciplinary team of international consultants has developed the strategy, with guidance provided by a steering group of representatives from the Cliffs of Moher experience, Clare County Council, Fáilte Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, private tourism enterprises and the wider community.I understand a preliminary draft of the strategy has been published and a public consultation process on the draft closed in recent months. I look forward to seeing the finalised version of the strategy which should ensure this iconic attraction remains a key driver of continued and sustainable tourism activity in the years ahead.

Finally, in relation to Government policy generally, my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, is finalising a new national tourism policy framework that will mainstream environmental, economic and societal sustainability across the entire tourism sector. It will seek to establish Ireland as a leading tourism destination excelling in sustainable development practices that deliver better economic, social and environmental outcomes for all. The new framework will also have policy objectives in relation to careers in tourism, innovation, product development, regionality, seasonality and the impact of broader Government decisions on the sector. The new policy will ensure that tourism can grow in a sustainable manner and will have a particular focus on growing tourism in less developed tourist areas. I understand it is hoped to publish the new policy shortly.