Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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21. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his role in developing the nautical tourism sector, and specifically in the context of County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23471/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy and it is not involved in the development of regional or sectoral tourism.  This is an operational matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland, and I have accordingly referred the question to the agency for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if a response is not received within ten working days. That said, I have been advised that as part of the development of the Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth policy, Failte Ireland are working with the Marine Co-ordination Group to highlight the opportunities and issues effecting the development of marine tourism.

In that regard, between 2013 and 2014 Failte Ireland undertook research into the infrastructural requirements around berthing and marine facilities for visitors, and also into the motivations of visitors who embark upon a sailing holiday.  The research findings concluded that the core potential of overseas visitors who would be motivated to travel to Ireland for sailing, was relatively modest and quite niche: primarily sailing enthusiasts rather than leisure holidaymakers. Research also indicated that there was potential demand for charter services, whereby holidaymakers would charter a sailing vessel, with or without a skipper, for a day or a short number of days as part of a wider range of holiday experiences.  Infrastructural requirements focussed on sufficient, well serviced mooring facilities such as pontoons rather than on larger marinas.