Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 403: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if, in relation to the proposed year of The Gathering, he intends to advocate or pursue genealogical tourism as part of the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5461/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Gathering initiative of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Gathering will be an important event for the tourism sector and one that my Department and the national cultural institutions which operate under its aegis will be very pleased to participate in.

In that context, officials from my Department work closely with their colleagues in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and agencies within its ambit, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in relation to cultural, genealogical and heritage tourism matters. I would see the proposed Gathering as an excellent opportunity to enhance genealogical tourism.