Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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My role and that of my Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy.

In this regard, Fáilte Ireland is working with Cork County Council, the Office of Public Works, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Local Development Companies, industry and community representatives and others across the area to ensure that the tourism development actions and experiences are supported through the work of a representative Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) Implementation Group.

The West Cork & Kenmare Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP), launched in October 2023, combines the Three Peninsulas DEDP, the draft West Cork Coast DEDP and also includes the actions of the Muscraí Gaeltacht Tourism Development plan, bringing all of West Cork including the Lee Valley together in terms of tourism development for the destination.

Recognising the positive impact on the wider Lee Valley, Fáilte Ireland has included representation from the area on the implementation group. This is to ensure that the Peninsulas area is not developed in isolation of the wider area and that lessons learned can be utilised where appropriate in the Lee Valley area in a supported way.

The DEDP implementation group works with West Cork and Kenmare as one destination promoting it as a destination with authentic language and cultural experiences that are grounded in the local area. It is through this approach, with all areas in the destination working together, supporting and learning from each other, that West Cork will achieve its tourism development objectives and therefore realise its full potential as a compelling and authentic sustainable destination.

Fáilte Ireland has a number of sub-groups under the West Cork and Kenmare Implementation Group including:

• West Cork & Kenmare Food and Drink: an action plan is to be finalised in March 2024
• West Cork & Kenmare Outdoor Activities: workshops held in December and January and businesses from Lee Valley were invited to engage as was the case with the first sub-group.