Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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1639. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the person responsible for developing and growing tourism in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31902/15]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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1640. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the contact point for airlines, tour operators and other stakeholders to discuss various regional tourism products and other industry issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31903/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1639 and 1640 together.

As regards my Department, its role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy, whereas the tourism agencies have operational responsibility for the implementation of this policy.  As regards the division of those responsibilities and contact points for stakeholders wishing to discuss specific matters, Tourism Ireland is responsible for the overseas promotion of the island of Ireland as a tourism destination, whereas Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, has responsibility for the development of quality tourism product, domestic tourism marketing, tourism standards, enterprise support, capability building and human resource development for the tourism industry.  Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to the tourism agencies for direct reply.  Please contact my private office if you do not hear from them within ten working days.

However, the Government's recent policy statement "People, Place and Policy: Growing Tourism to 2025" highlights the central role of local authorities in developing tourism in their areas and clearly Cork County and City Councils are important partners, along with the local tourist industry and local communities, in doing so.  It is universally recognised that tourism is developed by strong partnership across a range of stakeholders and no one body or person can do so on its, his or her own.