George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

319. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment following the conclusion of the Food Tourism Strategy 2018–2023, if there are plans to develop and publish a new food tourism strategy; if he will provide a year-by-year breakdown of the budget allocated to food tourism from 2019 to 2025, in tabular form; if any engagement with industry stakeholders on food tourism has taken place from 2023 to the present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35764/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Programme for Government (PfG) commits to supporting and expanding our food and beverage tourism offerings and showcasing the best of local produce. I have asked my officials to prioritise the finalisation of a new Tourism Policy Statement which reflects the PfG and other Government priorities. This new Policy Statement will set out how the Irish culinary experience can play an enhanced role in Ireland’s overall tourism offering.

Responsibility for tourism matters formally moved to my Department on the 1st June. I am informed that no specific budget allocation was provided for food tourism in the years referenced by the Deputy. Instead, expenditure by the tourism agencies on food tourism came under the broader expenditure headings such as tourism marketing, business supports and destination development. Fáilte Ireland continues to focus on further developing food tourism experience for the wider domestic and international visitor audience, and it will continue to be a key component of Fáilte Ireland’s Destination and Experience Development Plans. Fáilte Ireland will also continue to work with Irish based inbound agents to market and promote local food and beverage experiences.

In terms of overseas marketing, Tourism Ireland continues to elevate Ireland’s food and beverage offering in its advertising campaigns and associated activities such as TV co-productions with a specific focus on the Irish culinary experience.

With regard to industry stakeholders, since taking responsibility for tourism I have had a number of engagements with stakeholders on tourism issues including the Restaurants Association of Ireland. I am fully aware of the significance of food tourism for the tourism and hospitality sectors and look forward to ongoing engagement in the coming period as the new Policy Statement is finalised and implemented.

Edward Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

320. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans being made to develop a US Presidents trail on the island of Ireland. [34985/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

Fáilte Ireland and Tourism NI have primary responsibility for product development on the ground and would be best placed to lead on the development of any new tourist initiative such as a proposed US Presidents Trail on the island of Ireland.

The All-Island Strategic Tourism Group (AISTG), established under the North South Ministerial Council in 2024, is co-chaired by senior officials from the Department and Northern Ireland’s Department for the Economy and includes the Chief Executives of the three tourism agencies - Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.

The remit of the group includes identifying key areas for North/South coordination and cooperation and providing a strategic, policy-aligned approach to the development and delivery of all-island tourism initiatives.

The next meeting of the AISTG in the autumn will provide an opportunity for my Department officials to raise the proposal for consideration by this group.