James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received representations to engage with the British National Trust and the Stormont Minister for Arts, Culture and Leisure regarding assigning of causeway coast status to the northern peninsulas of County Donegal in order to encourage tourists at the Giant's Causeway to follow on their holiday with a visit here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47566/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I have not received representations regarding the assignment of causeway coast status to Donegal's northern peninsulas. Furthermore the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism has been informed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Northern Ireland, who have responsibility for Tourism that they are unaware of any such representations by the National Trust or the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

In terms of cooperation generally, the Deputy will be aware that tourism is one of the recognised sectors for North-South Cooperation and in particular, Tourism Ireland, a north south body, markets the island of Ireland as a destination overseas. Tourism Ireland works closely with Fáilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to encourage overseas visitors to explore the island as widely as possible. In the Netherlands, for example, promotional activity highlights Donegal and the North West region jointly with the Giant's Causeway and the Causeway Coastal Route.

I am glad to report to the House that yesterday I attended the North South Ministerial Council tourism sectoral meeting at which a presentation was made by Tourism Ireland on progress in 2009 and its marketing plan for 2010. The 2010 plans which Tourism Ireland expect will deliver growth of 3% in visitor numbers next year were well received and the budget to fund these initiatives is now in place.