Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 29: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if he will ensure close community consultation in developing sustainable tourism and outline the methods by which such consultation will take place. [6207/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that under the National Tourism Development Authority Act, Fáilte Ireland has the devolved function to encourage, promote and support the development and marketing of tourist facilities and services within the State. Sustainable tourism requires a balance to be struck between the needs of the visitor, the place and the host community. It has long been recognised that what is good for communities is generally good for tourism. Communities have a significant role to play in sustainable tourism development in Ireland and should also benefit from a sustainable tourism industry.

Fáilte Ireland — the National Tourism Development Authority — continues to develop and support sustainable tourism development at community level in a number of ways, from funding of festivals, investment in local infrastructure and business development supports to provision of research and insights. These supports are delivered primarily through the development of clusters or networks on the ground, made up of tourism and non-tourism stakeholders, brought together to ensure sustainable tourism development in these areas. A critical part of these networks is the feedback provided by these groups so that future interventions can be tailored to meet the needs of these stakeholders.