Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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46. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his Department's input into the Wild Atlantic Way initiative; the extent to which the islands on the Atlantic seaboard were consulted and included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36811/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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While my Department provides the capital funding for investment in tourism projects such as the Wild Atlantic Way, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these. The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is a matter for the Board and management of Failte Ireland.  

The route of the Wild Atlantic Way was developed with the assistance of tourism consultants and regional steering groups.  The steering groups comprised Fáilte Ireland, Local Authorities, local Leader and Development companies and other key agencies such as Údarás Na Gaeltachta, the Western Development Commission and others relevant to each particular region.  In addition Fáilte Ireland carried out a series of community briefings along the route which were well attended by local tourism operators, stakeholders and community representatives.

This consultation process fully included the islands and inputs were received from many people from the islands.

The Deputy will be interested to know that 26 islands are included on the Wild Atlantic Way as Discovery Points on the basis that they have scheduled ferries to them either seasonally or year-round.  Ferries to the 26 islands leave from 22 embarkation points.

The continued involvement of communities along the western seaboard will be critical to the success of the Wild Atlantic Way project. In that regard, Fáilte Ireland is  working with local authorities, tourism operators, local communities and other stakeholders to ensure that they can take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the initiative.