Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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70. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has engaged with Fáilte Ireland regarding the masterplan for Portumna Forest Park in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32260/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I understand that Coillte has commissioned a Strategic Development Plan, previously called a Masterplan, for Portumna Forest Park. Fáilte Ireland is a strategic partner of Coillte’s and gives guidance in relation to sustainable tourism development as an aspect of this plan while also collaborating closely with Coillte on the tourism aspects of the plan.

The purpose of the Strategic Development Plan is to advise Coillte and key stakeholders including the Portumna local community, on the optimum usage of Portumna Forest Park, as a treasured recreational and environmental resource. The principal aim of the Strategic Development Plan is to ensure that any future development in the Forest Park will be carried out in a sensitive and environmentally conscious way. Habitats within the Forest Park which are known to be of high ecological value will be protected and conserved.

The draft Strategic Development Plan for the Portumna Forest Park is?currently?being reviewed to take account of feedback from extensive public consultation. The in-person public consultation event held at the Portumna Workhouse Centre on 24th October 2023 was well attended, and 296 written submissions were received throughout the consultation period. The feedback obtained from the public consultation and direct engagement with stakeholders has informed the approach to the Strategic Development Plan for this important local amenity.

Portumna is also included in Fáilte Ireland’s “Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands” Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023 – 2027. The plan sets out a strategic approach to unlocking the commercial potential of “Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands” and will ensure focus on tourism development is sustainable, regenerative and that the benefits accrue to local communities.

This can be seen in the recent re-development of Connacht Harbour in Portumna, which was officially opened in September 2024 following a €2.8 million investment by Waterways Ireland and Failte Ireland. The redevelopment includes a significant expansion of the number of mooring berths in the harbour for public use. It also includes the addition of a canoe step for access to the Lough Derg Blueway; additional onshore facilities and a new cycle and walking trail linking Connacht Harbour to the town and Lough Derg Blueway.