John McGahon (Fine Gael)
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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.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator McGahon for raising the very important issue of the Carlingford Lough ferry. He has outlined the ferry's value and importance to the local community. I was delighted to be in Omeath, County Louth, with the Senator last year to mark the beginning of an €11 million investment by Irish Water to improve the water quality in Carlingford Lough. This huge investment is very important for this key infrastructure for Border communities.

Transport links, such as the Carlingford Lough ferry, are key enablers for the sustainable growth of domestic and cross-Border tourism in Ireland. It should be noted at the outset that while ferry companies and all forms of transport are critically important for cross-Border tourism, transport services extend beyond that into the tourism sector. Responsibility for transport services falls with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan.

The island of Ireland has a truly wonderful offering for visitors. There are world-class experiences across the entire island from the Wild Atlantic Way to the Causeway Coastal Route, and from the region that comprises Ireland's Ancient East to the walled city of Derry and so much more. Prior to the pandemic, 2019 was one of the best years ever for Irish tourism when we welcomed 11 million international visitors to the island of Ireland. The importance of tourism to the economy on both sides of the Border, and the clear logic in taking a joint approach to promote and develop the sector, led to tourism being one of the key areas chosen for formal North-South co-operation through the structures created by the Good Friday Agreement. That co-operation has been hugely beneficial, with the tourism sector now an exemplar of what can be achieved when we work together on this island with shared purpose and for clear mutual benefit.

There is a great opportunity for tourism potential into the future through further development of cross-Border tourism on this island. There has been extensive engagement between the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, which has Deputy Catherine Martin as Minister, and the Department of the Taoiseach regarding the shared island funding, with the result that €7.6 million has been allocated for a new all-island tourism brand collaboration and marketing initiative, connecting the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way in the north west. This project will be developed and implemented over the next three years and will build on the international reputations of those two magnificent tourist routes. I understand that a project team has been established, including representatives of the tourism agencies on the island who will work together to connect those two internationally recognised brands and achieve longer visitor stays and greater economic benefits in the north west and Northern coastal regions. The development of this project will further enhance North-South co-operation in tourism, which has been hugely beneficial to the industry across the island.

Through Tourism Ireland, we have developed a hugely successful approach to promoting our collective tourism offering to markets all around the world, which sustains and creates jobs in the sector in towns, cities and regions across both jurisdictions on the island. Tourism Ireland promotes the island of Ireland in more than 21 markets overseas as a compelling holiday destination, using the Ireland brand to position the island as strongly as possible against more than 200 other destinations with which Ireland competes. Tourism Ireland promotes the experience brands, including the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East, Dublin and Northern Ireland’s Embrace a Giant Spirit, on a range of platforms, including online, via publicity and through overseas trade platforms.

North-South engagement and collaboration in the area of tourism has added value to the marketing of the island to potential overseas visitors to both jurisdictions. Significant achievements over this time include the development of screen tourism through Game of Thrones, and more recently opportunities arising from the success of "An Cailín Ciúin" and "The Banshees of Inisherin". Screen tourism will be leveraged extensively by Tourism Ireland throughout 2023.

Sport-related tourism has emerged as a very significant element in world tourism, with a multimillion euro market and a huge potential for countries that position themselves correctly. High-profile sporting events, such as The Open returning to Royal Portrush in 2025 and the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in 2027, will provide a unique opportunity to highlight the island of Ireland as a wonderful holiday destination, as well as a top location for sporting events.

John McGahon (Fine Gael)
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As I said at the outset of this debate, and as the Minister of State mentioned, the reason I have raised this matter is because of the value and importance of the Carlingford Lough ferry not just to the local community in north Louth but also to the local community in south County Down. While I accept that the concept of this is transport related, and perhaps is an issue that rests with the Minister for Transport, it must be considered in the overall context of tourism and cross-Border tourism. I say the latter because nobody uses the ferry to commute to work or reduce their journey time. The ferry is primarily used for tourism and is a really good way to connect communities North and South of the Border. The ferry is also a really good way to promote the region. Ultimately, I am concerned about the Carlingford Lough ferry. The Government should avail of all initiatives as much as possible to ensure cross-Border tourism thrives and is very successful.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I fully understand where Senator McGahon is coming from and the work that he puts into initiatives such as this. As I said, the Carlingford Lough ferry is of huge value and importance to the region and, indeed, as a key North-South interconnector for tourism.

The shared island unit now has over €500 million to enhance existing projects and for new projects on the Border. That may be a key initiative, through the Department of Transport. I can write to the Minister for Transport, on behalf of the Senator, on foot of this debate to mention that the ferry is a key connector and to highlight that support is needed into the future to ensure it continues to thrive because, as the Senator quite rightly pointed out, the ferry is so important for tourism. I wish to state that tourism has been a huge, unique selling point for the island to unlock so much employment and potential in our communities, which is something we must continue to support and value. Therefore, the Commencement matter is timely in that regard.