John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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20. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on an official Fáilte Ireland tour map (details supplied) which is widely distributed to American holiday makers travelling here; his views on whether the people of the south east of Ireland, in particular County Waterford, are adequately represented by this: if he will make a commitment to directing Fáilte Ireland to include Waterford in any further publications of this nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27379/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I understand that the matter raised by the Deputy concerns the Explore Ireland map, which is jointly produced by Tourism Ireland and the Ordnance Survey of Ireland.  As the Deputy will be aware, Tourism Ireland is the organisation that markets the island of Ireland overseas as a compelling holiday and business tourism destination. Fáilte Ireland did not produce the map.

The Explore Ireland map is a full Ordnance Survey map of the island of Ireland, tailored for the international visitor, with tourist information on the reverse side, including various suggested car tour itineraries in Ireland.  The segment of the tour from Dublin to Tramore in Co. Waterford does not pass through Waterford City.  I have been recently advised by Tourism Ireland that the next edition of the map will include Waterford City in a new selection of tours.

Other publications produced recently by Tourism Ireland feature Waterford, including touring and city focused publications featuring the Viking Triangle and Waterford City generally.  A classic driving tour guide was featured at the World Travel Market in London last November and has been used extensively since then, in particular in the Great Britain market. Furthermore, I am assured that Tourism Ireland continues to highlight Waterford city and its environs, and the fact that Ireland’s oldest city is celebrating 1,100 years in 2014.  Waterford City and its events, history, heritage, gardens, outdoor and other activities, the Viking Triangle, the Copper Coast and many other aspects of the area feature prominently in Tourism Ireland’s 2014 marketing communications overseas.  I am advised by Tourism Ireland that last year alone, it generated over €24 million (in advertising equivalent values) in positive publicity for Waterford and the South East in key markets overseas.