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.

Under the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939-2016, caravan and camping parks using a prescribed term should be registered with Fáilte Ireland. In this context, I am advised that there are currently 132 Registered and Approved National Quality Assurance Framework sites that can accommodate camping throughout the country.

Caravan and camping facilities are a valued part of Ireland’s national tourism industry. The sector is largely family owned and operated and provides visitors with an opportunity to immerse themselves in local heritage and culture.

Fáilte Ireland advises that some local authorities have conducted research in the area highlighted by the Deputy and that Waterways Ireland also commissioned a report on the matter. However, neither my Department nor Fáilte Ireland has any function with regard to the development of facilities offering overnight pull-in parking facilities or any funding streams for local authorities in their considerations of such matters.