Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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589. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to develop the tourism sector equally across the country, in particular utilising natural assets, scenery and tours to national monuments and historic sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16003/16]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Tourism continues to contribute significantly to Ireland's economy. CSO figures for 2015 show there were over 8.6 million overseas visits to Ireland, an increase of 13.7% on 2014.

This growth in overseas visits has been accompanied by strong growth in overseas tourism revenue with spending in Ireland by overseas visitors (excluding air fares or ferry charges) for 2015 increasing by 18.6% compared to 2014. This growth has continued into 2016 and the number of visits in the three month period of February to April was up 16% compared to the corresponding period in 2015.

In order to grow tourism nationally, the development of the sector is being progressed under the tourism brand experiences that have been developed by Fáilte Ireland, such as the "Wild Atlantic Way", "Ireland's Ancient East", and "Dublin - A Breath of Fresh Air".  These geographically based propositions are brands of scale that have been developed for the purpose of promotion in international markets.  They are also tailored to the most promising consumer segments in overseas source markets and designed to promote regional spread of visitors.  In this regard, they utilise the natural and built assets of their region, such as scenery and historic sites to grow tourism in that region.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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590. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Ireland competes effectively with other jurisdictions as a conference location; if conference tourism will grow in the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16004/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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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 conference and business tourism is an operational matter for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.

Accordingly, I have asked Fáilte Ireland 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.