Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Festivals and participative events, many of which are supported by Fáilte Ireland, support the tourism industry by motivating people to travel, to generate footfall, economic activity and – importantly from a tourism perspective – bed-nights across the country.

However, as we balance managing virus-related risks with facilitating continued economic and social activity, we must limit gatherings and group social interactions in order to suppress the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Accordingly, this approach has necessitated the cancellation of many festivals and participative events across the country – including in County Louth.

Fáilte Ireland is working with local stakeholders in County Louth to enhance and promote the county’s overall tourism offering and to maximise the tourism and overall economic return. Fáilte Ireland has a wide programme of supports in place for the county, with further planning underway to inform additional destination development. I have asked the tourism agency to provide the Deputy with further detail on existing and planned tourism supports for Co. Louth. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.