Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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244. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if counties Longford and Westmeath will be excluded from the development of a lakelands tourism strategy by Fáilte Ireland despite being in possession of a prime location and geographical relevance to the brand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27570/16]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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245. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason County Longford would be included in Ireland's Ancient East tourism strategy when it is not in proximity to the east, shares limited cultural traits to the trail and especially at a time when a lakelands strategy is in development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27571/16]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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246. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the county known as the lakeland county would be excluded from a tourism strategy based around the concept and attraction of lakes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27572/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 to 246, inclusive, together.

My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy.  It is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects, which are operational matters for the Board and Management of Fáilte Ireland.

I understand Fáilte Ireland is undertaking a Destination Development and Feasibility Study to ascertain the potential for growth and the best mechanism to unlock those areas that lie between the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East.  Any new brand territory would have a shared boundary with both the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East.  In this context, areas of those counties that border the Shannon Waterway on both sides are captured by the study.  Depending on the recommendations arrived at by the study, those areas along the Shannon may actually end up benefitting from the work of more than one brand.

I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for a fuller reply.  Please contact my private office if you have not received a response within ten working days.