Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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34. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to encourage and develop historical tourism interest, focusing on the revolutionary periods of Irish history during and following on from the 1916 Easter Rising centenary year. [31950/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​The role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy.  The development of historical tourism is an operational matter for the Boards and managements of Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.  Accordingly, I have asked the Agencies to reply to the Deputy directly in this regard.  Please contact my private office if you do not hear from them within ten working days. 

The development of the national commemorative programme in 2016 is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and I am acutely aware of the commemorative, solemn and respectful nature of many of these events.  I believe that it is fundamental to ensure that this is not compromised. However, given the wealth of events planned, many of which will be of interest to international visitors, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland will work closely with the 2016 Project Office to integrate information about appropriate events into their promotion activities and make them accessible to overseas tourists, as well as identifying further opportunities to work together where appropriate.  This will ensure that visitors to Ireland are well informed of the opportunities to experience these events.