Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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284. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a village (details supplied) in County Kerry will be incorporated into the Wild Atlantic Way route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7700/17]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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While my Department provides the capital funding for investment in tourism projects such as the Wild Atlantic Way, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these. The development of the Wild Atlantic Way is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten days.

I am aware that the route of the Wild Atlantic Way was developed using a collaborative approach and regional steering groups were convened to inform route development. The steering groups comprised Fáilte Ireland, Local Authorities, local LEADER and Development companies and other key agencies such as Udarás na Gaeltachta, the Western Development Commission and others as relevant to each particular region.

For those communities that are not directly on the route, it is important to note that the Wild Atlantic Way is not simply a touring route but is rather a means to guide and attract visitors, and that all villages, businesses and geographic areas within close proximity of the route are in essence part of the geography of the Wild Atlantic Way. The purpose of the Wild Atlantic Way is to give guidance to visitors as to what there is to see on our western coast and provide easy access to a range of experiences.