Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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1765. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to invest in the tourism potential of the An Grianán of Aileach fort at Burt, County Donegal as a site of similar historic importance to the Hill of Tara and with stunning scenic views of the surrounding landscape, including five counties in Ulster. [34201/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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While the promotion of Ireland as a tourist designation is primarily a matter for Tourism Ireland and the development of tourism is the responsibility of Ireland’s National Tourism Development Authority, Fáilte Ireland, I am committed to availing of every possible opportunity to project a positive global image for Ireland.

The unique qualities of Ireland’s national heritage play a significant role in enhancing and projecting Ireland’s image abroad, and in supporting economic renewal through cultural and heritage tourism and in downstream opportunities, such as in the retail, catering and accommodation sectors. The latest Fáilte Ireland figures show that over 3.7 million overseas visitors engaged in cultural or historical visits while in Ireland in 2013. Over 2.4 million tourists visited historic houses or castles, while over 1.5 million visited our archaeological monuments. I also understand that in 2013 there were in excess of 4.1 million visitors to heritage sites where the Office of Public Works (OPW) provides a guide service, up from 3.7 million in 2012.

An Grianán of Aileach is a national monument in my guardianship, as Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, under the National Monuments Acts 1930-2004. As such, it enjoys the full range of protections afforded by those Acts, including a provision that any works at, or in proximity to it, are subject to my prior written consent, as Minister.

National monuments in State care are managed by the OPW. The role of the OPW includes carrying out conservation works at national monuments with the aid of capital funding provided by my Department to support this programme and, in turn, the promotion and presentation of the State’s heritage portfolio throughout the country.